Effect of Cerium on the Interaction between a Si–Mn‐Killed Steel and a MgO‐Based Refractory

Herein, the contact angle between a Si–Mn‐killed steel and MgO‐based refractory is measured in a reduction atmosphere at 1853 K using the sessile drop method. As the cerium content in the steel increases from 0 to 0.0450 wt%, the initial contact angle between the steel and the refractory slightly increases from 136° to 138°, the equilibrium contact angle decreases from 131° to 124°, and the steel surface tension reduces from 1.756 to 1.624 N m−1. Cerium in the steel retards the formation of Mg–Si–O oxide on the steel drop surface. A higher cerium content promotes the chemical reaction, resulting in a decrease in the contact angle. The cerium addition leads to an increase in the steel–refractory reaction depth. With an increase in cerium in the steel, the meniscus contact angle between the steel and the micropore in the refractory increases. Consequently, the lower driving force of steel penetrating into the refractory causes the reduction of steel penetration into the refractory.