Interaction between Calcium and Al2O3-ZrO2-C Slide Gate Plates

In Ternium Siderar Al2O3-ZrO2-C slide gate plates are used. In this paper, it is presented the evaluation of the wear mechanisms by calcium attack and the physical, chemical, and thermal characterization of three different slide gate plates. The characterization of the slide gate plates included: determination of the bulk density and apparent porosity, chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence, identification of mineralogical phases by X-ray diffraction, and DTA-TG analysis up to 1,400°C (DTG-60H equipment). Besides, there were carried out corrosion tests with SiCa and synthetic slags with 50% of calcium oxide.