The Paton Welding Journal, 2013, №02



2013 №02 (01)

2013 №02 (03)

---

The Paton Welding Journal, 2013, #2, 8-12 pages  

METHODS OF CONTROL OF SILICON OXIDE ACTIVITY IN SLAG MELTS

I.A. GONCHAROV¹, V.I. GALINICH¹, D.D. MISHCHENKO¹, R.N. SHEVCHUK¹, A.N. DUCHENKO¹ and V.S. SUDAVTSOVA²

¹E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute, NASU, Kiev, Ukraine
²Frantsevich Institute for Problems of Materials Science, Kiev, Ukraine
 
 
Abstract
Silicon oxide is included into composition of fluxes for welding of carbon and low-alloy steels. To predict the metallurgical and welding-technological properties of fluxes, it is important to know their activity in slag melt. The aim of the present work is to develop the methods of in-process evaluation of activity (effective concentration) of silicon oxide SiO2 in slag melts and to define the methods of its control. The design of unique electrolytic sensor has been developed. The application of alloy, containing 5wt.%Si as the second electrode allowed increasing the heat resistance of the sensor up to 1500 °C. Using the designed sensor, the procedure was suggested for determination of SiO2 activity in slag melts by using the method of electromotive forces, which guarantees the accuracy in measurement of electromotive forces within 1-2mV ranges. This procedure can be applied in metallurgy directly in the melting process, as well as in the development of welding consumables. It was found that increase in MgO content in slag melt of MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-CaF2 system causes the reduction in silicon oxide activity, that can be explained by the formation of refractory and thermodynamically stable silicates and aluminates of magnesium. The effect of additions (1 wt.%) of metals on the SiO2 activity in melts of MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-CaF2 system was determined. The feasibility of control of thermodynamic activity of silicon oxide in slags in welding and, respectively, the processes of silicon reduction and formation of non-metallic inclusions in welds is shown. 5Ref., 3 Tables, 1 Figure.
 
 
Keywords: arc welding, high-strength steels, slag melts, thermodynamic properties, activity of SiO2, electrolytic sensor, methods of control
 
 
Received:                17.12.12
Published:               28.02.13
 
 
References
1. Sudavtsova, V.S., Makara, V.A., Galinich, V.I. (2005) Thermodynamics of metallurgical and welding melts. Pt 1: Iron- and aluminium-based alloys. Kiev: Logos.
2. Taylor, J.R., Dinsdale, A.T. (1990) Thermodynamic and phase diagram data for the CaO-SiO2 system. Calphad, 14(1), 71-88.
3. Goncharov, I.A., Sokolsky, V.E., Davidenko, A.O. et al. (2012) Formation of spinel in melt of the MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-CaF2 system agglomerated welding flux and its effect on viscosity of slag. The Paton Welding J., 12, 18-25.
4. (1979) Thermodynamic properties of individual materials: Refer. Book. Ed. by V.P. Glushko. Vol.2, Book 2. Moscow: Nauka.
5. Podgaetsky, V.V., Kuzmenko, V.G. (1988) Welding slags. Kiev: Naukova Dumka.

---