Effect of temperature on oxygen activity during ladle treatment

The effect of temperature on oxygen activity in steel was studied in plant trials where temperature and oxygen activity were measured at two depths and at the same time during different parts of ladle refining. The results show that large temperature gradients exist towards the surface of the steel melt for the sampling occasion when no slag is present on the steel surface, as can be expected. It was also observed that the oxygen activity is higher in the lower measurement position than in the upper during the majority of the ladle refining. This is explained by the oxygen activity's temperature dependence. By using the data from this study and previously reported plant trials it was shown that Si-SiO₂ or Al-Al₂O₃ equilibrium controls the oxygen activity.