A study of the phase composition of iron-ore briquets to assess their behavior in a blast furnace

We study a mechanism for maintaining the strength of cement-bonded iron-oxide-bearing briquets when heated under reducing conditions. These briquets retain their strength when heated in a reducing atmosphere: up to 700–750°C, strength retention is due to the cement stone; strength retention under further heating is due to the continuous metal shell formed on the surface of the briquet as the iron oxide in the surface layer of the briquet is reduced to iron. Fabrication and usage of briquets of iron-ore concentrate can be recommended as a wash material for blast furnaces. Disperse materials containing SiO₂ and MgO should be added to the charge during fabrication of the briquets in order to improve the washing properties of briquet slag.