Silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum characterization by crystal morphology in iron ore sinter microstructure

Abstract

Correct identification of mineral phases in iron ore sinters is key for further research, in which individual sinter properties are derived directly from mineral phases. Nowadays widespread image analysis and techniques based on the visual quantification may not exactly evaluate mineral type, what has an unfavorable effect on the overall phase analysis and all functions derived from it. Some specifics were demonstrated by microscopic examination of sinter samples and pointing out differences in calcium ferrite identification. It was found the dendritic crystallization may cause such crystal shape of low-Fe SFCA, that it ultimately looks like plates of high-Fe SFCA-I. Aggregates of SFCA-I plates crystallized adherent are misidentifiable as prismatic SFCA crystals. The pathway for SFCA-I crystals covered with SFCA was also discussed.