To efficiently process titanomagnetite deposits in the Urals, new technological solutions must be developed. One such solution is the production of metallized titanomagnetite pellets, followed by electric smelting. Modern electric smelting technologies have strict requirements for the materials used, including a metallization degree above 90%, high metallic iron content (>85%), low FeO content (<1%), and high compression strength. This article explores the potential for producing metallized pellets suitable for further processing into electric arc furnace smelting or for HBI production from enriched concentrates of Gusevogorsky and Pervouralsky deposits under laboratory conditions. The scheme for enriching the poor concentrate of Pervouralskydeposithas been developed. The study analyzed the chemical, phase, and mineralogical compositions of the obtained concentrates. The results showed that the total iron content after beneficiation was more than 65% for both deposits. The study concluded that titanomagnetite iron ore raw materials are suitable for the metallization process. The degree of metallization of burnt pellets, after reduction by gas of CO+N2 composition (90/10%) at exposure (240 min), reached 92% and higher.

The paper considers the effect of introducing ferroalloys containing titanium and zirconium on the structure and heat-resistance of low-carbon ferroalloys. Theoretically and experimentally, it has been proven that the addition of 1.0 wt % of titanium and 0.1 wt % of zirconium to a low-carbon iron-aluminum melt containing 12–14 wt % of aluminum grinds its structure increasing tensile strength and refractory properties. Titanium and zirconium are strong carbide-forming elements. When introduced into a low-carbon iron-aluminum alloy, they form a large number of crystallization centers, thus, affecting its microstructure, allowing to get finer and more uniform granularity compared to an alloy without additive. This in turn increases the strength limit of processed alloy. In addition, the use of titanium as a modifying additive in a low-carbon ferroalloy allows increasing its heat-resistance, which exceeds several times the heat-resistance of famous chrome-nickel steel of Fe20Cr23Ni18 grade. As a result, a new technology for obtaining titanium and zirconium was developed based on research of the effect of their modifying additives on the structure and heat-resistance of low-carbon iron-aluminum alloys.

The influence of a REM-containing Insteel 7 complex modifier on the structure and the contents of dissolved gases and sulfur in Fe–Al alloys with an increased aluminum content (11–15 wt %) melted in an open induction furnace is studied.

The microstructure and the kinematic viscosity of alloys obtained by fusion of iron and three kinds of alloying additives (granulated aluminum and fast- and slow-cooled ferroaluminum) are studied. The method for manufacturing aluminum cast iron optimum from the standpoint of the microstructure and properties is determined.

The article gives analysis of long-term and perspective tasks of automating EAF, particularly relevant to the conditions of domestic production. The results of studies on quality control of foaming slag in the super-power EAF-135 OJSC "Seversky Pipe Plant" are shown. We made the conclusions about the possibilities of using the electrical mode parameters for the operational control of the processes of smelting steel and ferroalloys.

Laboratory researches of cooling rate influence on matrix structure, composition and quantity of nonmetallic inclusions in iron-aluminum alloys, containing 25-33%Al, are conducted. Thermodynamic modeling of composition and quantity of phases, which were formed in alloy system, containing Fe-Al-Si-C-O, for equilibrium conditions by means of the program complex ASTRA-4 (TERRA) is carried out. It is established, that irrespective of cooling rate the matrix has structure of intermetallic Fe-Al, and nonmetallic inclusions have platelet shape and composite of iron and aluminum oxy-carbides. It is confirmed, that ferroalloy with the optimal structure, necessary for receiving the high heat-resistance cast iron, should be cooled after smelting with the highest speed in these condition.