Kinetics of the reactions between silica and alumino-silicate refractories and molten iron

The rate of corrosion of silica and alumlno-silicate refractories in Armco iron melts at 1600°C was measured. A standard “immersion” technique was used under both static and dynamic conditions. It was found that the corrosion of the refractories in Armco iron melts was initially controlled by a chemical reaction process but changed rapidly to a steadystate, diffusion-controlled process. A liquid silicate product layer built up at the interface during the induction period. The steady-state rate of corrosion was independent of the oxygen content of the melt and was also found to be a linear function of the peripheral velocity of the refractory specimen. The rate of corrosion for the various refractories was measured and found to be controlled by diffusion of iron and oxygen in the silicate layer.