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2022
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05
Factors Affecting the Performance of Argon-Blowing Permeability Bricks in Steel Ladles
Source: Ke Chuang Xin Cai
Release time:2022-05-16 17:24
The quality of bottom-blown argon permeable bricks in steel ladles is crucial for steelmakers. During use, unfavorable factors should be avoided or addressed. Factors affecting the effectiveness of bottom-blown argon permeable bricks include steel penetration of the permeable brick working surface, blockage of permeable bricks (slit type) by slag, material changes, fluctuations in gas source pressure, and long ladle downtime. Permeable bricks operate under harsh conditions. In large ladles, the hydrostatic pressure of molten steel is high, and the required stirring intensity is also high. Therefore, the key to ensuring gas permeability is that the permeable bricks have strong anti-steel penetration capabilities. In the production practice of steel mills, the working surface of permeable bricks often becomes coated with steel, thus requiring...
The quality of argon bottom-blowing plugs in ladles is crucial for steelmakers. During use, adverse factors should be avoided or mitigated. Factors affecting the effectiveness of argon bottom-blowing plugs include steel penetration into the working surface of the permeable brick, blockage of the permeable brick (slit type) by slag, changes in material properties, fluctuations in gas pressure, and prolonged ladle downtime.
The working conditions of permeable bricks are harsh. In large ladles, the hydrostatic pressure of the molten steel is high, and the required stirring intensity is also high. Therefore, the key to ensuring gas permeability is that the permeable bricks must have strong anti-steel penetration capabilities. In the production practice of steel plants, the working surface of permeable bricks often becomes coated with steel, so an oxygen lance is needed to clean the working surface. If the slit-type permeable brick is not cleaned properly, it will easily lead to a lack of permeability.

(Diagram) Slit-type permeable brick
After the ladle completes continuous casting, the working surface of the permeable brick is in full contact with the slag. The slag continuously penetrates into the permeable brick. As the ladle temperature decreases, the slag viscosity increases, and the slit channels of the permeable brick may become blocked, resulting in a low or lack of bottom-blowing gas flow in the subsequent ladle.
Permeable bricks are multi-component, multi-phase composite materials with granular, matrix, interfacial, and porous structures. The main chemical component of permeable bricks is alumina, followed by a relatively large amount of magnesia. Due to differences in chemical composition, the density, compressive strength, and flexural strength of permeable bricks will vary.

(Diagram) Anti-penetration permeable brick
In actual use, the argon gas supply pressure will fluctuate due to various reasons. When the argon gas pressure is too low, it cannot blow the molten steel, leading to bottom-blowing failure. When the argon gas pressure is too high, it can easily cause serious splashing of the molten steel, leading to secondary oxidation of the steel after contact with the air.
If the ladle downtime is too long, and the baking time is insufficient or not baked, the temperature of the ladle lining is not high enough. After receiving the steel, the temperature of the molten steel at the bottom of the ladle is low, and cold steel solidifies at the bottom, hindering the gas flow of the bottom-blowing permeable brick, resulting in permeability failure.
With leading domestic production equipment and excellent production processes, our company has developed various types of argon bottom-blowing plugs for ladles, whose performance has reached or exceeded that of similar imported products. They have achieved good results in use and have been well received by users!
Source: Luoyang Kechuang New Materials Co., Ltd.: https://www.kcnh.com/
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