Enhanced oxidation resistance of low-carbon MgO–C refractories with ternary carbides: a review

The demand for low-carbon MgO–C refractories is ever growing to meet the development of advanced steelmaking technologies and efficient energy conservation. Meanwhile, to improve the oxidation resistance and inhibit the weakness of low-carbon MgO–C refractories, antioxidants are necessary. The application of ternary carbides that focused on improving the oxidation performance of MgO–C refractories has been explored, and the ternary carbides including Al₄O₄C, Al₈B₄C₇, Al₄SiC₄, Ti₂AlC, Ti₃AlC₂, and Ti₃SiC₂ have been proved effective. The crystal structure, physical properties, oxidation behavior, and synthesis of these ternary carbides were summarized, and their oxidation mechanism in assisting anti-oxidation of MgO–C refractories was discussed. In addition, the potential aspects related to the usage and development of ternary carbides in low-carbon MgO–C refractories were proposed.