Abstract:
Wear resistance of synthetic graphite against liquid industrial platinum group metals furnace matte
(Cu–Fe–Ni–S) was investigated from 800°C to 1450°C at a contact time of 1 hour. Graphite
resistance was measured by the extent of liquid-matte penetration through the graphite, using Xray
microtomography. The matte was molten at 900°C, and it penetrated through cracks in the
graphite wall. The matte penetration depth into the graphite did not increase with temperature.
The matte loss in the gas phase increased with temperature. During melting, the volume of the
industrial matte expanded. As the matte expanded, it pushed against the wall of the graphite
and penetrated through cracks in the graphite wall. Where the crucible volume was large
enough to accommodate the expanded matte, the matte did not penetrate through the graphite.
Graphite exhibited poor resistance against penetration by the liquid industrial platinum group
metals furnace matte.
