Effect of CeO_2 on heat transfer and crystallization behavior of rare earth alloy steel mold fluxes

摘要

To improve the heat transfer capability and the crystallization property of the traditional mold flux, CaF_2 was replaced with B_2O_3. Then, the influences of CeO_2 on the heat transfer and the crystallization of the CaF_2-bearing mold flux and the new mold flux with 10 wt% B_2O_3 were studied using a slag film heat flux simulator and X-ray diffraction(XRD). The results revealed that the addition of CeO2 reduced the heat transfer by increasing the solid slag thickness and the crystallization of two mold fluxes. However, CeO_2 had less effect on the B_2O_3-containing mold flux compared with the CaF_2-bearing mold flux. According to the analyses, the CeO_2 contents in the CaF_2-bearing mold flux and the B_2O_3-containing mold flux should not exceed 8 wt% and 12 wt%, respectively. Therefore, these experimental results are beneficial to improve and develop the mold flux for casting rare earth alloy steels.