The Impact of Redox Atmosphere on the High-Temperature Melting Behavior of Basalt Materials

This study systematically reveals the fundamental mechanisms controlling redox-induced phase transformations occurring in basalt melting processes via integrated high-temperature redox experiments combined with thermodynamic simulations. Our findings demonstrate that oxidizing conditions drive clinopyroxene dissolution and concurrent crystallization of refractory phases—hematite [(Fe,Ti,Al)2O3] and magnesioferrite [(Mg,Fe)(Fe,Al)2O4]—where distinct crystallization pathways govern magnesioferrite morphology evolution. Conversely, reducing environments suppress oxide mineral formation while promoting phase transformation from high-melting-point plagioclase to low-melting-point clinopyroxene solid solutions, thus lowering the system’s liquidus temperature to achieve full melting. This provides a theoretical basis for optimizing energy consumption in basalt fiber production and offers new insights into the effects of material melting temperature.