Investigation of Molten Metal Infiltration into Micropore Carbon Refractory Materials Using X-ray Computed Tomography

The lifetime of a blast furnace (BF), and, consequently, the price of steel, strongly depends on the degradation of micropore carbon refractory materials used as lining materials in the BF hearth. One of the major degradation mechanisms in the BF hearth is related to the infiltration and dissolution of refractory materials in molten metal. To design new and more resilient materials, we need to know more about degradation mechanisms, which can be achieved using laboratory tests. In this work, we present a new investigation method of refractory materials infiltration resistance. The designed method combines a standard degradation test (hot metal penetration test) with X-ray computed tomography (XCT) measurements. Application of XCT measurements before and after molten metal infiltration allows observing changes in the micropore carbon refractory material’s microstructure and identifying the elements of the open pore structure that are crucial in molten metal infiltration.

Study on Interface Reaction of BN-Al Composite Materials-ChemRxiv.pdf

<p>Ceramic-metal composite materials prepared by the metal infiltration process have become the topic of intense research. The interface reaction between ceramic and metal has an important impact on the mechanical properties of composite materials. This article, for the first time, studies the interface reaction between BN and Al. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were both employed to study interface reaction. Studies have shown that there is an intermediate transition interface between metal and ceramic. The interface reaction between Al and BN produces AlN, and there is no close connection among AlN particles. The grain size of AlN is about 1~2μm. The rate order is: Al element > B element > N element.</p>

Study on Interface Reaction of BN-Al Composite Materials-ChemRxiv.pdf

<p>Ceramic-metal composite materials prepared by the metal infiltration process have become the topic of intense research. The interface reaction between ceramic and metal has an important impact on the mechanical properties of composite materials. This article, for the first time, studies the interface reaction between BN and Al. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were both employed to study interface reaction. Studies have shown that there is an intermediate transition interface between metal and ceramic. The interface reaction between Al and BN produces AlN, and there is no close connection among AlN particles. The grain size of AlN is about 1~2μm. The rate order is: Al element > B element > N element.</p>

Calculating Vacuum Metal Infiltration Rate and Depth of BN-Al Composite Materials

<p>For the first time, the metal infiltration depth and infiltration rate of the BN-Al composite prepared by metal infiltration have been calculated and studied. The calculation results show that the infiltration depth gradually increases with the increase of time, and the final infiltration depth can reach 0.21 m. As time increases and voids decrease, the infiltration rate gradually decreases. The maximum impregnation rate is 0.65cm·min^-1. This calculation and research provide a positive idea for the calculation and prediction of metal infiltration in void media in the future study.</p>