A metallurgical flux is an additive for purifying and improving metallic ores. Its primary ourpose is to combine with impurities in molten ore (such as phosphorous, silica, sulphur, zinc) to form a slag that can be separated from the metal. Other benefits of metallurgical fluxes include: decreasing viscosity and aiding lubrication, neutralising acidity of the metallic melt, preventing reaction of the melt with atmospheric gases, and slag conditioning. In slag formation, using the correct flux will create a lower density slag that is immiscible with the molten metal and can be easily removed. The slag comprises the original flux mineral combined with impurities from the ore. As there are a number of different ores (which are destined for different end products), the type of impurity needed to be removed is variable (ie. ferrous versus non-ferrous metallurgy).
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