Investigation on the effect of MgO content on the crystallization behavior of synthetic BF slag

The crystallization of molten blast furnace (BF) slag can increase its viscosity and reduce its liquidity; it can also affect the quality of slag fibers following their manufacture. The crystallization behavior of BF slag is influenced by its chemical composition. In this study, four synthetic BF slags with various MgO contents, ranging from 6 to 12%, were investigated. FactSage simulations were performed to predict the types of crystallized phases as well as their mass fractions that are developed within the synthetic BF slags during the cooling process. To verify the validity of FactSage simulation, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope–backscattered electron imaging, where the equipment was coupled to an energy-dispersive spectrometer, were performed to explore the mineralogical compositions and morphologies of the synthetic BF slags. Experiments using the hot thermocouple technique were performed to identify the initial crystallization temperatures of the synthetic BF slags. The results indicate that the observed phases of the synthetic BF slags were primarily composed of akermanite (2CaO · MgO · 2SiO2) and gehlenite (2CaO · Al2O3 · SiO2), which could form a solid solution, melilite, and control the initial crystallization temperature. The initial crystallization temperature increased as the MgO content of the slag increased. A low initial crystallization temperature was achieved in the cases of the synthetic BF slag samples with MgO contents of 6–8%; these slags were considered suitable for the manufacture of slag fiber.