VOD Ladle
In making stainless steel the metallurgical requirements (typically low sulphur, high steel cleanness) together with the widespread use of lime – silicate slags throughout the process strongly favour the use of dolomite refractories.
CaO and MgO have the lowest oxide potentials, i.e. are the most stable oxides commonly present in the steelmaking system. This means that there will be no oxidation/reduction reactions between the refractory and the steel bath – dolomite refractories will therefore be inert towards the steel (even when the steel bath contains significant amounts of silicon, titanium and/or aluminium).
Lining Design
Normally fired or carbon-bonded dolomite refractories are used in
the barrel/sidewall. Fired magnesia-enriched dolomite is routinely preferred in the slagline.
| Steel Treatments | Floor | Barrel | Slag Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| VOD operations | Carbon-bonded doloma or magnesia-enriched doloma | Carbon-bonded doloma or magnesia-enriched doloma. Fired products may be required for ULC steels |
Fired magnesia-enriched doloma products are required for maximum slag resistance and zero carbon contamination |
The success of a metallurgical treatment and the overall performance and economics of any ladle depends to a large extent on the reliability of auxiliary components, such as well blocks, stir plug systems, impact pads and lip blocks. LWB Refractories supplies these components in alumina or basic compositions.
