Microstructure and formation kinetics of a freeze lining in an industrial copper FSF slag

The freeze lining of an industrial copper flash smelting furnace slag, its growth kinetics and microstructure have been studied using a water cooled probe technique in a rotating crucible furnace at 1350°C. The first layers of iron silicate slag solidify on the water cooled metal surface as amorphous or glassy material with a minor fraction of crystalline spinel phase precipitated. At a distance of 4–5 mm from the cold face about 50% of the structure is composed of crystalline olivine (fayalite) and spinel phases embedded in a glassy matrix. Major thickness of the freeze lining is formed within first 15 min of slag contact with a cooled metal surface. The solidified microstructures obtained were compared with equilibrium phase assemblages calculated. The equilibrium solidification in the near solidus reactions includes the formation of pyroxene and rhodonite type phases, but they were not identified in the lining microstructures.