The physical properties of iron ore sinter are largely influenced by raw material properties, in particular the bulk ore composition and its associated mineralogy. The levels of Fe, SiO2, Al2O3, MgO and other elements, together with the nature of the minerals in the fine ore and associated sintering conditions play a major role in determining the abundance and type of high-temperature bonding phases that form during sintering. This study using natural ores combines in situ X-ray diffraction experiments in model sinter systems with laboratory-based compact sinter tests to examine the links between iron ore composition and sintering conditions and their effects on sinter strength. Results help to establish the critical compositional and thermal parameters that control the bonding phase chemistry, which in turn influences the strength, a key sinter quality parameter of the sinter matrix.
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Webster,N. A. S., Pownceby,M. I. and Madsen,I. C.2013. In situ X-ray diffraction investigation of the formation mechanisms of SFCA-I-type complex calcium ferrites. ISIJ International, 53, pp.1334–1340. doi: 10.2355/isijinternational.53.1334
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Webster,N. A. S., Pownceby,M. I., Madsen,I. C. and Kimpton,J. A.2012. Silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminium (SFCA) iron ore sinter bonding phases: new insights into their formation during heating and cooling. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, 43, pp.1344–57. doi: 10.1007/s11663-012-9740-5
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Webster,N. A. S., Pownceby,M. I., Madsen,I. C. and Kimpton,J. A.2013. The effect of oxygen partial pressure on the formation mechanisms of complex Ca-rich ferrites (SFCA and SFCA-I), ISIJ International, 53, pp.774–781. doi: 10.2355/isijinternational.53.774
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Webster,N. A. S., Pownceby,M. I., Madsen,I. C., Studer,A. J., Manuel,J. and Kimpton,J. A.2014. Fundamentals of silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminium (SFCA) and SFCA-I iron ore sinter bonding phase formation: Effects of CaO: SiO2 ratio. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, 45, pp.2097–105. doi: 10.1007/s11663-014-0137-5
