SYNTHESIS OF TRICALCIUM ALUMINATE FROM ALUMINIUM DROSS

Abstract

The present work examines the synthesis of tricalcium aluminate (for use as a synthetic slags) from the dross produced in the manufacture of metallic aluminium in Holding furnaces. Three types of input dross were used with Al2O3 contents ranging from 51 to 82 wt%. Calcium aluminates were formed via the mechanical activation (reactive milling) of different mixtures of dross and calcium carbonate, and sintering at 1200ºC. The variables affecting the process, especially the milling time and the Al2O3:CaO molar ratio, were studied. The final products were examined via DRX, SEM, TEM and Raman spectroscopy, and their chemical composition were compared with those of commercial synthetic slags.