Solid-Phase Decarburization of High-Carbon Ferromanganese Powders by Microwave Heating

The solid-phase decarburization of high-carbon ferromanganese powders (HCFPs) was investigated using calcium carbonate as the decarburizer by microwave heating and conventional heating methods to explore the differences of microwave heating and conventional heating. Experimental results show that HCFPs containing calcium carbonate were heated up to 900, 1000, 1100, and 1200 °C and held for 60 min for decarburization by microwave heating at decarburization ratios of 76. 69%, 82.90%, 84.11%, and 85.75%, respectively. These ratios arc higher than the decarburization ratios used for conventional heating under the same experimental conditions. The microwave heating can significantly improve decarburization ratio. This indicates the microwave heating field features a non-thermal effect, which in turn, visibly enhances the carbon diffusion ability of HCFPs. It also improves the kinetic conditions of solid-phase decarburization.