Effects of selenium and tellurium on the surface tension of molten iron and on the Wettability of alumina by molten iron were measured with sessile drop method at 1600°C and results were discussed together with those of oxygen and sulphur.
The main results are as follows.
(1) Selenium and tellurium acted as the surface active agents and the surface activity increased in the order of: oxygen, sulphur, selenium, and tellurium.
(2) The contact angle between molten iron and alumina decreased with the addition of oxygen and increased with the additions of selenium and tellurium. While, sulphur scarcely affected the contact angle.
(3) The interfacial free energy between molten iron and alumina decreased with the increasing of these elements.
(4) The work of adhesion between molten iron and alumina decreased with the increasing of sulphur, selenium, and tellurium, and increased with the increasing of oxygen.