Investigation into how the magnesia, silica, and alumina contents of iron ore sinter influence its mineralogy and properties (original) (raw)

The structure of iron ore sinter is not uniform. It consists of pores (of varying sizes) and a complex aggregate of phases, each with different properties. It is the combination of these pores and phases, and the interaction between them that determines the sinter properties, but also makes the prediction of sinter properties so difficult1,2. Various studies are reported in the literature in which correlations are drawn between raw material composition (such as phosphorous, silica, alumina and magnesia contents, sinter basicity, melt fluidity, Al2O3/SiO2 ratio, TiO2 contents), porosity, maximum sintering temperature, as well as the structure and properties of iron sinter3–12. Alternative raw materials that can be used in the sinter mixture have also been tested, and their impact on sinter quality evaluated13,14. Despite all the research done, the correlation between the chemical composition and mineralogy of iron sinter and its properties and behaviour are still not clearly understo...