RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN IRON-ORE SINTERING .2. RESEARCH STUDIES ON SINTERING AND SINTER QUALITY

Sinter consists of an assembly of various mineral phases whose formation depends on thermal history, chemical composition, ore mineralogy, and particle size. The reactions taking place in the sintering process are described. Classification of iron ores according to chemical composition or reactivity has been proposed. Sinter quality criteria such as strength, breakdown during low temperature reduction (RDI), reducibility, and softening/melting are reviewed briefly, The properties of the bonding phases (calcium ferrites and glass) are very important. There is still some argument regarding the mechanisms of RDI but recent research suggests that the ability of bonding phases to resist crack propagation is crucial. IS/1032b