Influence of Vanadium Oxide on the Viscosity Within the CaO–SiO2–“FeO”–MgO System

Abstract The effect of V 2 O 3 on the viscosity of a calcium silicate melt-based system containing MgO and “FeO” was investigated and correlated with the melt composition using FactSage 8.2, SEM, and XRF. The viscosity was measured with incremental steps of 25 K from 1923 K to 1723 K in an argon atmosphere. The temperature-dependent viscosity was calculated for each slag composition using an Arrhenius-type equation. The results showed that the addition of 5.4 wt pct V 2 O 3 decreased the viscosity of all measured slag systems. Viscosity is an important factor that influences the ability to create a foaming slag in the electric arc furnace (EAF). A synthetic slag with a composition close to an EAF slag was also measured with and without V 2 O 3 . Again, the addition of V 2 O 3 decreased the viscosity but also decreased the saturation with magnesio-wüstite and decreased the temperature for formation of dicalcium silicate.