Interfacial Tension in the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-(MgO) Liquid Slag–Solid Oxide Systems

Interfacial phenomenon is critical in metal processing and refining. While it is known to be important, there are little data available for key oxide systems in the literature. In this study, the interfacial tension (σLS) of liquid slag on solid oxides (alumina, spinel, and calcium aluminate), for a range of slags in the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-(MgO) system at 1773 K (1500 °C), has been evaluated. The results show that basic ladle-type slags exhibit lower σLS with oxide phases examined compared to that of acid tundish-type slags. Also, within the slag types (acid and base), σLS was observed to decrease with increasing slag basicity. A correlation between σLS and slag structure was observed, i.e., σLS was found to decrease linearly with increasing of slag optical basicity (Λ) and decrease logarithmically with decreasing of slag viscosity from acid to base slags. This indicated a higher σLS as the ions in the slag become larger and more complex. Through a work of adhesion (W) analysis, it was shown that basic ladle slags with lower σLS result in a greater W, i.e., form a stronger bond with the solid oxide phases examined. This indicates that all other factors being equal, the efficiency of inclusion removal from steel of inclusions of similar phase to these solid oxides would be greater.