Abstract
Oxidation rate of aluminum in molten iron by impurity oxygen in argon is observed in order to take information on evolving nonmetallic inclusion as well as nozzle blocking of continuous casting apparatus. The aluminum is oxidized by argon containing oxygen above 10-14 Pa in oxygen partial pressure.
Rate determining step of the oxidation in the case of no convection is diffusion process in an oxide layer generated at the surface of the molten iron.
In the case of specimen with convection, the step is chemical reaction process. The rate is expressed as a second order reaction for aluminum content. Apparent activation energy of the reaction is -1224 kJ/mol. It is discussed that the apparent activation energy corresponds to enthalpy change of the oxidation reaction.
