Sintering behavior of ceramic bodies from electric arc furnace slag

The effect of the sintering system on the properties of sintered ceramics bodies from electric arc furnace slag (EAFS) was investigated. The sintering behavior was evaluated by means of the flexural strength and water absorption, while the microstructures of samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the major impacts on performance of ceramics during the heating stage are heating rate and holding time. When holding time is constant, the samples heating rate of 4 degrees C / min perform poor than 10 degrees C / min. Keeping holding time of 40 minutes, the ceramics bodies properties and structure stabilized. The optimum sintering system should keep heating rate at nearby 10 degrees C /min when sintering temperature is 1170 degrees C., and the holding time should be 40 minutes.