Effect of Basicity on Deoxidation Capability of Refining Slag

Mass action concentration (activity) calculation model was used to analyze the variation rule of mass action concentrations of slag compositions with basicity changing, and the effect of basicity on deoxidation capability and control of spinel and globular inclusions was investigated theoretically. From the calculation and experimental results, it was found that with the increase of basicity, the mass action concentration of A12O3 and SiO2 decreases, while the mass action concentration of FeO and MgO increases at first and then decreases. Slag basicity below 3 to 4 would help to control spinel inclusions formation, and higher basicity improves formation of globular inclusions. Slag with basicity under 2 can effectively control the formation of globular inclusions. Deoxidation capability of slag increases with the increase of basicity, and slag with basicity about 4 could almost reach the maximum deoxidation capability. In order to smelt low oxygen steel with globular inclusions controlled, refining slag basicity should be controlled at about 4.