Wear in which molten slag dissolves the refractory surface and soaks into its pores, reacting to form low-melting phases that wash away. The rate depends on how far the slag chemistry is from the refractory chemistry, temperature, slag viscosity and iron oxide content. It is tested in rotary slag, crucible or cup and induction furnace tests, and controlled by matching basicity, cutting porosity and keeping slag saturated with the lining's oxide.
FeO in the slag is up to 30 percent, no wonder slag attack is eating the slag line so fast.
Keep the slag saturated with what the lining is made of. A little magnesia in the slag is often the cheapest refractory there is.
Also heard as
- slag corrosion
- slag erosion
- slag penetration
Related terms
Slag line
Band of a ladle or furnace lining where the slag layer floats on the metal, usually the fastest-wearing zone.
Basic refractory
Refractory based on magnesia, lime or dolomite that resists basic slags with high lime-to-silica ratios.
Apparent porosity
Share of a refractory's volume made up of open pores that liquids and gases can penetrate.
Slag splashing
BOF practice of blowing nitrogen onto retained slag to plaster the converter lining with a protective coat.