Hematite

Reflected light, magnification 100x, one nicol

Slags after iron and steel production also frequently contain the solid solution of FeO-MnO-MgO having characteristic

skeleton forms.

Transmitted light, magnification 100x, one nicol

Solid solution of FeO-MnO-MgO

SEM microphotography, scanning microscopy

Goethite FeOOH

Transmitted light, magnification 100x, one nicol

Corundum

SEM microphotography, scanning microscopy

Silicates

Pyroxenes

Pyroxenes

Feldspars

Melilites

Transmitted light, magnification 200x, crossed nicols

Pseudomorphosis of pyroxene

Transmitted light, magnification 500x, crossed nicols

In internal structures of silicates phases the presence of different elements substitutions, which are not present in nature, have been observed. Slags are also characterized by the occurrence of solutions of stable oxide and silicate phases, “pure phases” are rare.

Forsterite from the slag after Zn-Pb production

(Mg1,68-1,89 Ca0,10-0,11 Al0,09 Fe2+0,02-0,09 Zn0,04) [(Si0,87-0,96 Al0,04-

0,13) O4]

Olivine - Forsterite

Mg2 [SiO4]

In slags stored on dumps over long time the presence of secondary phases can be observed, represented by

gypsum CaSO4·2H2O and calcite CaCO3

SEM microphotography, scanning microscopy

References:JONCZY I., NOWAK J., PORSZKE A., STRZAŁKOWSKA E.: Phase components of selected mineral waste materials in microscope images. Wydawnictwo Politechniki Śląskiej, Gliwice, Polska 2012.

JONCZY I.: Mineral composition of the metallurgical slag after steel production. Mineralogical Magazine. Goldschmidt Abstracts 2011. Volume 75, number 3, 2011, page 1122http://www.minersoc.org/files/Goldschmidt2012_Conference_Abstracts_J.pdf

JONCZY I., STANEK J.: Phase composition of metallurgical slag studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Nukleonika. International Journal of Nuclear Research, Vol. 58, No. 1, 2013, pp. 127-131http://www.nukleonika.pl/www/back/full/vol58_2013/v58n1p127f.pdf

JONCZY I.: Metallurgical slags from converter furnace – specificity of their phase and chemical composition. MT Bilimsel – Journal of Underground Resources nr 5, 2014 Turkey, pp. 15-24http://www.mtbilimsel.com/dosyalar/edergi-1392710524.pdf

JONCZY I.: Variability of chemical composition of metallurgical slags after steel production. RMZ Materials and Geoenvironment; Materiali in Geookolje, vol. 60, no. 4. Slovenia 2013, pp. 263-270http://www.rmz-mg.com/letniki/rmz60/RMZ60_4.pdf