Mechanism of sintering and fracture of superfluxed iron-ore sinters

Mineral formation in the binders of a commercial sinter with a basicity of 1.6 at the Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Integrated Works has been found to be determined by the crystallization of two morphological forms of high-iron aluminosilicoferrite (namely, dendritic and lamellar forms) from the melt. In a sintering zone, an association of dendritic aluminosilicoferrite crystals and dicalcium silicate Ca^sub 2^SiO^sub 4^ forms in high-calcium melt regions separated from magnetite grains. This association leads to the fracture of the finished product as a result of the phase transformation of Ca^sub 2^SiO^sub 4^ from the β into the γ modification during sinter cooling. Lamellar aluminosilicoferrites forming in high-iron sinter volumes serve as a high-strength binder for ore grains.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]