Mechanism Study on the Formation of Liquid Calcium Aluminate Inclusion from MgO‐Al₂O₃ Spinel

Abstract

A study on the formation mechanism of liquid calcium aluminate inclusions from MgO‐Al 2 O 3 spinel was carried out. It was found that spinel reacted with dissolved Ca in liquid steel forming liquid calcium aluminate phase. Stability calculations showed good agreement with the experimental result. According to the thermodynamic calculation, liquid calcium aluminate inclusions would form from spinel even at very low level of dissolved Ca content at 1873 K. At lower temperatures, the compound CaO‐2Al 2 O 3 was found to be the stable phase at the spinelmetal interface. Potential sources of dissolved Ca during ladle processes were also discussed.