Kinetics of decarburisation of levitating iron drops by oxygen

Abstract

This work is focused on determining the rate controlling mechanisms of decarburisation of iron-carbon droplets with gas mixtures containing up to 10% oxygen at 1723 K. The results indicate that the decarburisation rate is limited by the transport of oxygen in the bulk gas to the melt surface. The work also shows the absence of any significant resistance to decarburisation from interfacial chemical kinetics or gas phase reactions. Phosphorus in the melt shows no influence on the rate of decarburisation. Chromium has no significant effect on the decarburisation rate.