Cathodoluminescence (CL) Microscopy Application to Refractories and Slags

Musa Karakus, Robert E. Moore

University of Missouri-Rolla Department of Ceramic Engineering Rolla, MO 65401.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2002.11002                

Abstract

Refractories are ceramic materials possessing high thermal shock properties and slag corrosion resistance, as well as creep resistance at high temperatures. They are used in large quantities in steel making furnaces, metal smelting vessels, and glass melting tanks, and are made from very refractory minerals such as lime, periclase, corundum, spinel, and zirconia. Slags are residual vitreous materials generated during steel refining processes. They cover a wide range of compositions and may contain pure oxides, silicates, and sulfides as well as fluoride phases, depending on the melting and smelting processes. These minerals exhibit spectacular cathodoluminescence color when bombarded with electrons. Cathodoluminescence (CL) microscopy, therefore, is a very effective technique for the characterization of refractory corrosion by slags. Studies in this paper include: (1) reaction of fluorine containing mold slags with ZrO₂-C nozzle refractories, promoting crystallization of cuspidine [Ca₄Si₂O₇(F,OH)₂], (2) corrosion of fusion cast refractories and formation of glass defects in TV panel glassmaking furnaces, and (3) densification of spinel-based castable in steel melting induction furnace.

Keywords

Cathodoluminescence, Refractories, Slags

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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