Influence of Fly Ash on Corrosion Resistance of Refractory Forsterite-Spinel Ceramics

Abstract

This article examines the influence of fly ash on corrosion resistance of refractory forsterite-spinel ceramics by molten iron as a corrosive medium. Fly ash in comparison with alumina were used as raw materials and sources of aluminium oxide for synthesis of forsterite-spinel refractory ceramics. Raw materials were milled, mixed in different ratios into two sets of mixtures and sintered at 1550°C for 2 hours. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and thermal dilatometric analysis. Crucibles were then made from the fired ceramic mixtures and fired together with iron at its melting point of 1535°C for 5 hours. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy on the transition zones between iron and ceramics. Mixtures with increased amount of spinel had higher corrosion resistance and mixtures with fly ash were comparable to mixtures with alumina in terms of corrosion resistance and refractory properties.