Effect of Cr₂O₃ Content on the Viscosity and Crystallization Properties of Continuous Casting Mold Slag

Abstract

Herein, the effect of Cr2O3 on the crystallization and flow behavior of CaO–SiO2–Al2O3–Na2O–CaF2 continuous casting mold slags is investigated. The viscosity in the slag at 1200–1500 °C is measured by the rotating cylinder method and a quantitative relationship between the viscosity and the Raman structure Q3/Q2 is constructed. The time–temperature–transformation and continuous cooling transformation diagrams for various slags are obtained using a single hot‐thermocouple technique. The results show that with the crystallization temperature decreases, it can be observed that the crystal growth mode gradually changes from 3D spherical and 2D massive to 1D needle‐like. The study finds the transition from network modifier to network forming agent in the slag for Cr2O3 content from 0 to 3 wt%. The Cr2O3 added to 1–2 wt% decreases the viscosity and promotes crystallization. The viscosity increases and the crystallization is inhibited when the content of Cr2O3 increases to 3 wt%. Meanwhile, when Cr2O3 is added to 3 wt%, the Cr2O3 crystalline phase precipitates except for the main crystalline phase 2CaO·SiO2.