Mass transfer during dissolution of a solid into liquid in the iron-carbon system

Abstract

The rates of dissolution of solid pure iron and a solid iron-carbon alloy into molten iron-carbon alloys were studied “isothermally” as a function of temperature, carbon content and fluid dynamic (stirring) conditions. Experiments were carried out in a resistance-heated tube furnace under an inert atmosphere of argon gas at temperatures ranging from 2165 to 2563°F. A cylindrical specimen of the solid was preheated to the liquid temperature, immersed in the liquid bath contained in a graphite or alumina crucible, and rotated at speeds ranging up to 1800 rpm. The diameter of the specimen after partial solution was determined by direct measurement or calculated from the weight loss of the specimen. The experimental data were fitted with nondimensional correlations of mass transfer for a vertical cylinder, both stationary and rotating. When the specimen was stationary the mass transfer was dominated by natural convection in the liquid bath. When the specimen was rotated, forced convection prevailed and controlled the mass transfer rate.