Microstructures of Metallurgical Slags

The article characterizes microstructures of metallurgic slag of varying age remaining from the production of iron and steel and the Zn-Pb ore processing in relation to magmatic rocks and ores. Based on microscopic observations - among others - hypocrystalline, hyaline and felsite (characteristic for magmatic rocks) microstructures were observed in the slag. Also microstructures related to ores, including framework and dendritic, colomorphic and corrosive structures were noted. The diversity of the microstructures presented in the article is a result of the differentiation in the formations of individual components of the slags, which depends, inter alia, on the method and the rate of cooling of the alloys.