Effect of B2O3 content on the viscosity of copper slag

Abstract Suitable additives can improve the viscosity characteristics of copper slag, thereby improving slag–copper separation. In this study, the effects of B2O3 on the performance of copper slag were studied. The results showed that when the content of B2O3 addition was increased from 0 to 4%, the viscosity of the copper slag decreased, and the activation energy of viscous flows decreased. B2O3 could act as a network modifier to simplify the Si–O–Si tetrahedral structure, as verified by an FTIR analysis. In addition, the microstructure of fayalite in the copper slag changed from dendritic to granular with the increase in B2O3 content. B2O3 could form low-melting-point eutectics with high-melting-point components in the slag, which effectively reduced the liquidus temperature and viscosity of slag.