Micromechanism of Heterogeneous Reduction of Iron Ore Sinters Investigated by Synchrotron X-Ray Multimodal Analysis

The reducibility and mechanical properties of iron ore sinter in blast furnace is critical to effective plant operation. The reduction reaction of sinters progresses heterogeneously owing to microstructures with various mineral phases and pore networks. The reduction process was investigated by semi-microbeam synchrotron X-ray multimodal analysis. Heterogeneous chemical state evolution of Fe and trigger sites of crack formation were visualized using two-dimensional Fe K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis and were discussed based on reduction gas transfer. The elemental composition map and X-ray diffraction microanalysis were also combined to reveal the microprocesses during the reduction, such as calcium ferrite decomposition and crystal grain growth.