Effect of B2O3 on the Sintering Process of Vanadium–Titanium Magnet Concentrates and Hematite

Abstract

This work studied the effect of B2O3 (analytical reagent) on the parameters of a sintering pot test, as well as the metallurgical properties and microstructure of the sinter samples, to determine the feasibility of applying solid waste containing B2O3 in vanadium–titanium sintering. The results show that along with B2O3 addition, the mechanical strength of the sinter first increases and then decreases; the maximum strength was found upon the addition of 3.0% of B2O3. The low-temperature reduction and pulverization rate of the vanadium–titanium sinter were also improved, while the start and end temperatures of softening showed a decreasing trend. The microstructure of the sinter was found to change from plate structure to particle and point structure, with uniformly distributed small areas. The sintering pots created by B2O3 addition had low total porosity but a greater pore diameter than pots created without the reagent.