Influence of Vanadium Oxide on the Viscosity Within the CaO–SiO2–“FeO”–MgO System

Abstract

The effect of V2O3 on the viscosity of a calcium silicate melt-based system containing MgO and “FeO” was investigated and correlated with the melt composition using FactSage 8.2, SEM, and XRF. The viscosity was measured with incremental steps of 25 K from 1923 K to 1723 K in an argon atmosphere. The temperature-dependent viscosity was calculated for each slag composition using an Arrhenius-type equation. The results showed that the addition of 5.4 wt pct V2O3 decreased the viscosity of all measured slag systems. Viscosity is an important factor that influences the ability to create a foaming slag in the electric arc furnace (EAF). A synthetic slag with a composition close to an EAF slag was also measured with and without V2O3. Again, the addition of V2O3 decreased the viscosity but also decreased the saturation with magnesio-wüstite and decreased the temperature for formation of dicalcium silicate.