Observations of the mineral matter material present at the Coke/Iron interface during coke dissolution into iron

In this study, the mineral matter layer that forms between coke, and liquid iron during carbon dissolution has been characterised. Rectangular prisms of coke were immersed in an iron-2 mass% carbon melt at representative ironmaking temperatures for 20 min then drop quenched. The quench sample was then sectioned and the coke--iron interface was examined in the SEM. A mineral matter layer was observed at the experimental tempetatures 1400 degrees C, 1450 degrees C and 1500 degrees C, but not at 1550 degrees C. Though no layer was found at 1550 degrees C a slag was observed on the metal surface. This slag was not evident at other temperatures. The formation of the mireral matter layer and its temperature dependence is described in terms of a temperature activated fusion process. Further the mineral matter layer and adjacent coke were found to be significantly depleted in SiO(2). This has been explained in terms of SiO(2) reduction.