Observation on foaming of EAF slags in the production of stainless steel

This study focused on slag-foaming phenomena, the main emphasis being on slags used in the electric arc furnace (EAF) practice in the manufacture of stainless steel. Plant trials were carried out at Sandvik Steel for slags of high and low chromium content. The viscosity of the slags was predicted using a mathematical model for multi-component slags developed at KTH, Stockholm. Next, the foaming characteristics were predicted using different relationships suggested in the literature. The predicted foaming behavior was then compared to estimations of foaming determined visually and acoustically by operators. Sound measurements were also carried out during the trials. In comparing foaming characteristics determined from sound measurements with the operator estimations, a relationship was found to exist between the two.