燒結礦作為高爐之主要含鐵原料，其品質直接影響高爐之生產。在高含鐵鐵礦資源逐漸枯竭之背景下，低含鐵鐵礦石使用比例提升，導致原料中脈石含量增加使燒結反應機制更為複雜，進而影響燒結礦品質。本研究針對燒結過程中脈石成分對黏結相形成機制之影響進行系統性探討，特別聚焦於SiO2與Al2O3 對複合鐵酸鈣(SFCA)生成行為與燒結礦性質之影響。
本研究分為兩部分獨立實驗。首先，設計快速加熱爐來模擬燒結過程的實際熱履歷，並利用高純度化學試劑建立Fe2O3–CaO–SiO2三元燒結系統，在不同鹼度、溫度與氣氛條件下，探討燒結反應過程中的相形成與微觀結構演變，並結合熱力學模擬以釐清SiO2對反應路徑與結晶行為之影響機制。此外，利用燒結杯試驗模擬工業實際燒結條件，透過調整高脈石鐵礦之配礦比例，評估脈石成分與礦石結構對燒結行為與燒結礦成品品質之影響。兩項實驗皆結合光學影像分析(OIA)、掃描式電子顯微鏡(SEM-EDS)及X光繞射(XRD)分析礦物相之形貌、組成與結構。
研究結果顯示，在Fe2O3–CaO–SiO2三元系統中，1250 °C以下以固相反應為主，而在1300 °C則轉為液相輔助燒結。隨SiO2含量增加，鐵酸鈣黏結相生成量下降，而Ca2SiO4與Fe2O3含量增加。氧分壓亦具關鍵影響，低氧分壓有利於鐵酸鈣生成。燒結杯試驗結果顯示，SFCA與SFCA-I兩種結構皆對燒結礦產率具正面貢獻，其中柱狀SFCA與產率提升相關性較高。高矽鐵礦中之針鐵礦結構促進低鹼度熔融相生成，並有利於Ca2SiO4結晶，進而抑制SFCA形成並降低產率。在高矽條件下適度提高Al2O3含量則可促進SFCA生成並改善燒結品質。
本研究整合基礎反應機制與實際燒結行為之觀察，建立脈石成分、礦石結構與燒結礦品質之關聯，並提出低品位鐵礦燒結操作之參考方向。研究成果有助於釐清高脈石條件下之燒結反應機制，對提升燒結礦品質具有重要意義。

Sinter serves as the primary iron-bearing feedstock for the blast furnace, and its quality directly dictates the efficiency of ironmaking operations. With the gradual depletion of high-grade iron ore resources, the proportion of low-grade ores has increased, resulting in higher gangue content in raw materials. This increase complicates sintering reaction mechanisms and consequently influences sinter quality. This study systematically investigates the influence of gangue components on the formation mechanisms of bonding phases during the sintering process, focusing specifically on the effects of SiO2 and Al2O3 on the formation behavior of silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA) and the resulting sinter properties.
The experiments were conducted in two distinct parts. First, a rapid-heating furnace was designed to simulate the actual thermal profile of industrial sintering. High-purity chemical reagents were used to construct the Fe2O3–CaO–SiO2 ternary sintering system, and the effects of basicity, temperature, and atmosphere on phase formation and microstructural evolution during sintering were investigated. Thermodynamic modeling was further applied to clarify the influence of SiO2 on reaction pathways and crystallization behavior. Second, milli-pot tests were employed to simulate industrial sintering conditions. By adjusting the blending ratios of high-gangue iron ores, the impacts of gangue components and ore structure on sintering behavior and product quality were evaluated. Both experimental phases utilized Optical Image Analysis (OIA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDS), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) to characterize the morphology, composition, and structure of mineral phases.
Results indicate that within the Fe2O3–CaO–SiO2 ternary system, solid-state reactions are dominant below 1250 °C, transitioning to liquid-assisted sintering once the temperature reaches 1300 °C. With increasing SiO2 content, the formation of calcium ferrite bonding phases decreases, while the contents of Ca2SiO4 and Fe2O3 increase. Oxygen partial pressure also plays a critical role, and lower oxygen partial pressure favors the formation of calcium ferrites. The milli-pot results revealed that both SFCA and SFCA-I contribute positively to sinter yield, with columnar SFCA exhibiting a stronger correlation with yield improvement. In high-silica ores, the presence of ocherous goethite promotes the formation of low-basicity melts and enhances Ca2SiO4 crystallization, thereby suppressing SFCA formation and reducing yield. A moderate increase in Al2O3 content under high-silica conditions promotes SFCA formation and improves sinter quality.
Overall, this study establishes a comprehensive correlation between gangue composition, ore structure, and sintering behavior by integrating fundamental reaction mechanisms with process-level observations. The findings provide new insights into sintering mechanisms under high-gangue conditions and offer practical guidance for optimizing sintering operations using low-grade iron ores.

[1] Government of Western Australia DoJ, Tourism, Science and Innovation. 2025 Western Australia iron ore profile. Perth, WA; 2025.
[2] Tang P, Dai B, Zhou Z, Ma W. Crushing mechanism analysis of sintered ore and study of particle size distribution pattern after crushing. Ironmaking & Steelmaking. 51(6):527-45;2024.
[3] Yamaguchi Y, Umemoto H, Teraji S. Improving granulation of sinter materials by using a wet vertical ball mill. Nippon Steel Technical Report.123-06;2020.
[4] Coheur P. Continuous quality control of Dwight-Lloyd sinter. J IRON STEEL INST. 207(10):1291-7;1969.
[5] Fernández-González D, Ruiz-Bustinza I, Mochón J, González-Gasca C, Verdeja LF. Iron ore sintering: process. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review. 38(4):215-27;2017.
[6] Sasaki M, Hida Y. Consideration on the properties of sinter from the point of sintering reaction. Tetsu-to-Hagané. 68(6):563-71;1982.
[7] Donskoi E, Poliakov A, Manuel JR, Peterson M, Hapugoda S. Novel developments in optical image analysis for iron ore, sinter and coke characterisation. Applied Earth Science. 124(4):227-44;2015.
[8] Jeon J-W, Jung S-M, Sasaki Y. Formation of calcium ferrites under controlled oxygen potentials at 1273 K. ISIJ International. 50(8):1064-70;2010.
[9] Kimura M, Murao R. “Continuous cooling transformation (CCT)” concept for iron ore sintering using in situ quick X-ray diffraction and confocal laser microscope. ISIJ International. 53(12):2047-55;2013.
[10] Webster NA, Pownceby MI, Madsen IC, Kimpton JA. Silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA) iron ore sinter bonding phases: new insights into their formation during heating and cooling. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 43:1344-57;2012.
[11] Webster NA, Pownceby MI, Madsen IC. In situ X-ray diffraction investigation of the formation mechanisms of silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminium-I-type (SFCA-I-type) complex calcium ferrites. ISIJ International. 53(8):1334-40;2013.
[12] Webster NAS, Pownceby MI, Madsen IC, Studer AJ, Manuel JR, Kimpton JA. Fundamentals of silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA) and SFCA-I iron ore sinter bonding phase formation: Effects of CaO:SiO2 ratio. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 45(6):2097-105;2014.
[13] Webster NAS, O’dea DP, Ellis BG, Pownceby MI. Effects of gibbsite, kaolinite and Al-rich goethite as alumina sources on silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminium (SFCA) and SFCA-I iron ore sinter bonding phase formation. ISIJ International. 57(1):41-7;2017.
[14] Webster NAS, Pownceby MI. In-situ X-ray diffraction analysis of phase formation during heating of silico-ferrite of calcium (SFC) compositions. ISIJ International. 62(8):1624-8;2022.
[15] Ding X, Guo X-M. The sintering characteristics of mixing SiO2 with calcium ferrite at 1473 K (1200 °C). Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 46(4):1742-50;2015.
[16] Ding X, Guo X-M. Study of SiO2 involved in the formation process of silico-ferrite of calcium (SFC) by solid-state reactions. International Journal of Mineral Processing. 149:69-77;2016.
[17] Liao F, Guo X-M. The effects of Al2O3 and SiO2 on the formation process of silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA) by solid-state reactions. Minerals. 9(2);2019.
[18] Guo H, Guo X-M. Effect of aluminum dissolved in hematite on formation of calcium ferrites at 1473 K. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 49(4):1974-84;2018.
[19] Jeon J-W, Kim S-W, Jung S-M. Utilization of magnetite concentrate as an additive in adhering fines of quasi-particle and its effect on assimilation behavior. ISIJ International. 55(3):513-20;2015.
[20] Que Z, Wang L, Fu Y, Gu F, Shi J. Influence of quantity and quality of bonding phases on strength of iron ore sinters. Metals. 15(1):47;2025.
[21] Park TJ, Kim BC, Sohn I. Effect of bonding area formation during sintering on the reaction characteristics of iron ores. steel research international. 92(11):2100206;2021.
[22] Higuchi K, Okazaki J, Nomura S. Influence of melting characteristics of iron ores on strength of sintered ores. ISIJ International. 60(4):674-81;2020.
[23] Kasai E, Wu S, Omori Y. Factors governing the strength of agglomerated granules after sintering. ISIJ International. 31(1):17-23;1991.
[24] Kasai E, Wu S, Omori Y. Influence of property of iron ores on the coalescing phenomenon of granules during sintering. Tetsu-to-Hagane. 77(1):56-62;1991.
[25] Kasai E, Sakano Y, Nakamura T. Influence of iron ore properties on the flow of melt formed in the sintering process. Tetsu-to-Hagane. 86(3):139-45;2000.
[26] Wu S, Zhang G, Chen S, Su B. Influencing factors and effects of assimilation characteristic of iron ores in sintering process. ISIJ International. 54(3):582-8;2014.
[27] Wu S-L, Su B, Qi Y-H, Kou M-Y, Li Y, Zhang W-L. Melt absorbability of iron ore nuclei and its influence on suitable liquid content of sintered body. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 48(5):2469-80;2017.
[28] Jiang X, Zhao J, Wang L, An H, Gao Q, Zheng H, et al. Effects of liquidus temperature and liquid amount on the fluidity of bonding phase and strength of sinter. ISIJ International. 61(1):86-92;2021.
[29] Wu S, Zhang G. Liquid absorbability of iron ores and large limonite particle divided adding technology in the sintering process. steel research international. 86(9):1014-21;2015.
[30] Pei Y-d, Wu S-l, Shao X-j, Zhao Z-x, An G, Ma Z-j, et al. Establishment and industrial practice of high-temperature process evaluation system in sintering. Journal of Iron and Steel Research International. 25(9):910-22;2018.
[31] Peng J, Zhang L, Liu L-x, An S-l. Relationship between liquid fluidity of iron ore and generated liquid content during sintering. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 48(1):538-44;2017.
[32] Zhang G-l, Wu S-l, Su B, Que Z-g, Hou C-g, Jiang Y. Influencing factor of sinter body strength and its effects on iron ore sintering indexes. International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy, and Materials. 22(6):553-61;2015.
[33] Tomas da Rocha L, Cho S, Kim S-W, Jung S-M. Effects of high-temperature characteristics of calcium ferrites on the sinter strength. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 53(5):3306-21;2022.
[34] Lv X, Bai C, Deng Q, Huang X, Qiu G. Behavior of liquid phase formation during iron ores sintering. ISIJ International. 51(5):722-7;2011.
[35] Wu S, Li H, Zhang W, Su B. Effect of thermodynamic melt formation characteristics on liquid phase fluidity of iron ore in the sintering process. Metals. 9(4);2019.
[36] Nicol S, Jak E, Hayes PC. Controlled solidification of liquids within the SFC primary phase field of the “Fe2O3”-CaO-SiO2 system in air. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 50(6):3027-38;2019.
[37] Nicol S, Jak E, Hayes PC. Microstructure evolution during controlled solidification of “Fe2O3”-CaO-SiO2 liquids in air. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 50(6):2706-22;2019.
[38] Nicol S, Jak E, Hayes P. Effect of cooling rate on the controlled solidification of “Fe2O3”–CaO–SiO2 liquids in air in synthetic iron ore sinter. ISIJ International. 60(5):865-75;2020.
[39] Nicol S, Jak E, Hayes PC. Effect of the CaO/SiO2 ratio on the controlled solidification of ‘Fe2O3’-CaO-SiO2 melts in air. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy. 131(2):99-110;2020.
[40] Park TJ, Choi JS, Min DJ. In situ observation of crystallization in CaO-Fe2O3 system with different cooling rates and chemical compositions using confocal laser scanning microscope. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 49(5):2174-81;2018.
[41] Park TJ, Choi JS, Min DJ. Investigation of effects of SiO2 content and cooling rate on crystallization in Fe2O3-CaO-SiO2 system using in situ confocal laser scanning microscopy. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 50(2):790-8;2019.
[42] Xin R-F, Guo X-M. Effect of SiO2 on crystallization of calcium ferrites in Fe2O3–CaO–SiO2–Al2O3 system in cooling process. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 53(3):1904-19;2022.
[43] Xin RF, Du Y, Guo XM. Effect of alumina on crystallization behavior of calcium ferrite in Fe2O3-CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 system. Materials. 15(15);2022.
[44] Nicol S, Cheng S, Jak E, Hayes PC. Mechanisms of phase and microstructure formation during the cooling of “Fe2O3”–CaO–SiO2–Al2O3 melts in air and implications for iron ore sintering. ISIJ International. 60(12):2659-68;2020.
[45] Chen J, Cheng S, Shevchenko M, Hayes PC, Jak E. Investigation of the thermodynamic stability of C(A, F)3 solid solution in the FeO-Fe2O3-CaO-Al2O3 system and SFCA phase in the FeO-Fe2O3-CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 system. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 52(1):517-27;2021.
[46] Hida Y, Okazaki J, Itoh K, Sasaki M. Formation mechanism of acicular calcium ferrite of iron ore sinter. Tetsu-to-Hagané. 73(15):1893-900;1987.
[47] Pownceby M, Clout J. Phase relations in the Fe-rich part of the system Fe2O3 (-Fe3O4)-CaO-SiO2 at 1240-1300° C and oxygen partial pressure of 5× 10-3 atm: implications for iron ore sinter. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy. 109(1):36-48;2000.
[48] Cores A, Babich A, Muñiz M, Ferreira S, Mochon J. The influence of different iron ores mixtures composition on the quality of sinter. ISIJ International. 50(8):1089-98;2010.
[49] Umadevi T, Sah R, Mahapatra PC. Influence of sinter basicity (CaO/SiO2) on low and high alumina iron ore sinter quality. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy. 123(2):75-85;2014.
[50] Oyama N, Sato H, Takeda K, Ariyama T, Masumoto S, Jinno T, et al. Development of coating granulation process at commercial sintering plant for improving productivity and reducibility. ISIJ International. 45(6):817-26;2005.
[51] Loo C, Wan K, Howes V. Mechanical-properties of natural and synthetic mineral phases in sinters having varying reduction degradation indexes. Ironmaking & Steelmaking. 15(6):279-85;1988.
[52] Shigaki I, Sawada M, Gennai N. Increase in low-temperature reduction of iron ore sinter due to hematite-alumina solid solution and columnar calcium ferrite. Transactions of the Iron and Steel Institute of Japan. 26(6):503-11;1986.
[53] Grew ES, Hålenius U, Pasero M, Barbier J. Recommended nomenclature for the sapphirine and surinamite groups (sapphirine supergroup). Mineralogical Magazine. 72(4):839-76;2008.
[54] Hamilton JG, Hoskins B, Mumme W, Borbidge W, Montague M. The crystal structure and crystal chemistry of Ca2.3Mg0.8Al1.5Si1.1Fe8.3O20 (SFCA): solid solution limits and selected phase relationships of SFCA in the SiO2-Fe2O3-CaO (-Al2O3) system. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen. 161(1):1-26;1989.
[55] Mumme W, Clout J, Gable R. The crystal structure of SFCA-I, Ca3.18 Fe3+ 14.66 Al1.34 Fe2+ 0.82 O28, a homologue of the aenigmatite structure type, and new crystal structure refinements of ß-CFF, Ca2.99Fe3+ 14.30 Fe2+ 0.55 O25 and Mg-free SFCA, Ca2.45Fe3+ 9.04 Al1.74Fe2+ 0.16 Si0.6O20. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen. 173(1):93-117;1998.
[56] Takayama T, Murao R, Kimura M. Quantitative analysis of mineral phases in iron-ore sinter by the Rietveld method of X-ray diffraction patterns. ISIJ International. 58(6):1069-78;2018.
[57] Honeyands T, Manuel J, Matthews L, O’Dea D, Pinson D, Leedham J, et al. Comparison of the mineralogy of iron ore sinters using a range of techniques. Minerals. 9(6);2019.
[58] Ahsan S, Mukherjee T, Whiteman J. Structure of fluxed sinter. Ironmaking & Steelmaking. 10(2):54-64;1983.
[59] Yang LX, Loo CE. Structure of sinters formed from complex Chinese iron ores. ISIJ International. 37(5):449-57;1997.
[60] Hsieh L-H, JA W. Effect of oxygen potential on mineral formation in lime-fluxed iron ore sinter. ISIJ International. 29(8):625-34;1989.
[61] Patrick TR, Pownceby MI. Stability of silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA) in air-solid solution limits between 1240° C and 1390° C and phase relationships within the Fe2O3-CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 (FCAS) system. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 33(1):79-89;2002.
[62] Webster NAS, Pownceby MI, Madsen IC, Kimpton JA. Effect of oxygen partial pressure on the formation mechanisms of complex Ca-rich ferrites. ISIJ International. 53(5):774-81;2013.
[63] Mumme WG, Gable RW. Crystal structures of monoclinic variants of two SFCA structure-types containing significant Fe2+: crystal structure of monoclinic SFCA-II, Ca2.6 Fe3+ 8.0 Fe2+ 3.4 Al4O24; and proposed crystal structure of monoclinic SFCA-I, ideally, Ca2Fe2+ 8Fe3+ 8Al4O28. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen. 195(2):89-100;2018.
[64] Mumme W. The Crystal Structure of SFCA-II, Ca5. 1Al9. 3Fe3+ 18.7 Fe2+ 0.9 O48 a New Homologue of the Aenigmatite Structure-type, and Structure Refinement of SFCA-type, Ca2Al5Fe7O20. Implications for the Nature of the" Ternary-phase Solid-solution" Previously Reported in. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen. 178(3):307-35;2003.
[65] Kahlenberg V, Krüger H, Goettgens VS. Structural elucidation of triclinic and monoclinic SFCA-III–killing two birds with one stone. Structural Science. 75(6):1126-36;2019.
[66] Tonžetić I, Dippenaar A. An alternative to traditional iron-ore sinter phase classification. Minerals Engineering. 24(12):1258-63;2011.
[67] Donskoi E, Manuel JR, Austin P, Poliakov A, Peterson MJ, Hapugoda S. Comparative study of iron ore characterisation using a scanning electron microscope and optical image analysis. Applied Earth Science. 122(4):217-29;2014.
[68] Donskoi E, Poliakov A, Manuel JR. Automated optical image analysis of natural and sintered iron ore. Iron Ore2015. p. 101-59.
[69] Mežibrický R, Fröhlichová M. Silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum characterization by crystal morphology in iron ore sinter microstructure. ISIJ International. 56(6):1111-3;2016.
[70] Scarlett NV, Pownceby MI, Madsen IC, Christensen AN. Reaction sequences in the formation of silico-ferrites of calcium and aluminum in iron ore sinter. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 35(5):929-36;2004.
[71] McAndrew J, Clout J, editors. The nature of SFCA and its importance as a bonding phase in iron ore sinter. Proceedings of the 4th China–Australia Symposium on the Technology of Feed Preparation for Ironmaking, Dampier; 1993.
[72] Webster NAS, Churchill JG, Tufaile F, Pownceby MI, Manuel JR, Kimpton JA. Fundamentals of silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminium (SFCA) and SFCA-I iron ore sinter bonding phase formation: Effects of titanomagnetite-based ironsand and titanium addition. ISIJ International. 56(10):1715-22;2016.
[73] Cai B, Watanabe T, Kamijo C, Susa M, Hayashi M. Comparison between reducibilities of columnar silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA) covered with slag and acicular SFCA with fine pores. ISIJ International. 58(4):642-51;2018.
[74] Murakami T, Kodaira T, Kasai E. Effect of the reduction of calcium ferrite on disintegration behavior of sinter under high hydrogen atmosphere. ISIJ International. 55(6):1197-205;2015.
[75] Liu J, Jiang W, Cheng D, Zhong Q, Liu C, Jiang Y, et al. Effect of silica content on iron ore sintering. Metals. 13(6);2023.
[76] Murao R, Harano T, Kimura M, Jung I-H. Thermodynamic modeling of the SFCA phase Ca2 (Fe, Ca)6 (Fe, Al, Si)6O20. ISIJ International. 58(2):259-66;2018.
[77] Sugiyama K, Monkawa A, Sugiyama T. Crystal structure of the SFCAM phase Ca2(Ca,Fe,Mg,Al)6(Fe,Al,Si)6O20. ISIJ International. 45(4):560-8;2005.
[78] Jung I-H, Van Ende M-A. Computational thermodynamic calculations: FactSage from CALPHAD thermodynamic database to virtual process simulation. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 51(5):1851-74;2020.
[79] Nicol S, Chen J, Qi W, Mao X, Jak E, Hayes PC. Measurement of process conditions present in pilot scale iron ore sintering. Minerals. 9(6);2019.
[80] Li H, Zhou D, Pinson DJ, Zulli P, Lu L, Longbottom RJ, et al. Sintering of iron ores in a millipot in comparison with tablet testing and industrial process. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 49(5):2285-97;2018.
[81] Loo CE, Tame N, Penny GC. Effect of iron ores and sintering conditions on flame front properties. ISIJ International. 52(6):967-76;2012.
[82] Loo CE, Dukino RD. Laboratory iron ore sintering studies. 3. Critical heat transfer period. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy. 123(4):204-11;2014.
[83] Zhou H, Liu Z, Cheng M, Liu R, Cen K. Effect of flame-front speed on the pisolite-ore sintering process. Applied Thermal Engineering. 75:307-14;2015.
[84] Loo CE. A perspective of goethitic ore sintering fundamentals. ISIJ International. 45(4):436-48;2005.
[85] Cheng Z, Wei S, Guo Z, Yang J, Wang Q. Improvement of heat pattern and sinter strength at high charcoal proportion by applying ultra-lean gaseous fuel injection in iron ore sintering process. Journal of Cleaner Production. 161:1374-84;2017.
[86] Formoso A, Moro A, Fernández Pello G, Menéndez J, Muñiz M, Cores A. Influence of nature and particle size distribution on granulation of iron ore mixtures used in a sinter strand. Ironmaking & Steelmaking. 30(6):447-60;2003.
[87] Wang Y-z, Zhang J-l, Liu Z-j, Zhang Y-p, Liu D-h, Liu Y-r. Characteristics of combustion zone and evolution of mineral phases along bed height in ore sintering. International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy, and Materials. 24(10):1087-95;2017.
[88] Cheng Z, Yang J, Zhou L, Liu Y, Wang Q. Sinter strength evaluation using process parameters under different conditions in iron ore sintering process. Applied Thermal Engineering. 105:894-904;2016.
[89] Harvey T, Honeyands T, O’dea D, Evans G. Sinter strength and pore structure development using analogue tests. ISIJ International. 60(1):73-83;2020.
[90] Harvey T, Pownceby MI, Chen J, Webster NAS, Nguyen TBT, Matthews L, et al. Effect of temperature, time, and cooling rate on the mineralogy, morphology, and reducibility of iron ore sinter analogues. JOM. 73(1):345-55;2020.
[91] Singh T, Li H, Zhang G, Mitra S, Evans G, O’dea D, et al. Iron ore sintering in milli-pot: comparison to pilot scale and identification of maximum resistance to air flow. ISIJ International. 61(5):1469-78;2021.
[92] Nkogatse T, Garbers-Craig A. Evaluation of iron ore concentrate and micropellets as potential feed for sinter production. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review. 43(3):300-12;2021.
[93] Singh T, Mitra S, O’dea D, Knuefing L, Honeyands T. Quantification of resistance and pressure drop at high temperature for various suction pressures during iron ore sintering. ISIJ International. 62(9):1768-76;2022.
[94] Wang Y, Qian L, Yu Z, Chun T, Long H, Wu X, et al. Inhibition behavior of PCDD/Fs congeners by addition of N-containing compound in the iron ore sintering. Aerosol and Air Quality Research. 20(11):2568-79;2020.
[95] Huang T-Y, Shiau J-S. Heat efficiency improvement of iron ore sintering bed by spraying steam. China Steel Technical Report. (34):12-20;2021.
[96] Meyer M, Lagoeiro LE, Graça LM, Silva CJ. Phase and microstructural characterization of iron ore pellet and their relation with cold crushing strength test. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review. 37(5):295-304;2016.
[97] Mousa EA, Babich A, Senk D. A novel approach for utilization of ultra-fines iron ore in sintering process. steel research international. 86(11):1350-60;2015.
[98] Ding X, Guo X-M. The formation process of silico-ferrite of calcium (SFC) from binary calcium ferrite. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 45(4):1221-31;2014.
[99] Ji Z-y, Zhao Y, Gan M, Fan X, Chen X, Hu L. Microstructure and minerals evolution of iron ore sinter: Influence of SiO2 and Al2O3. Minerals. 9(7);2019.
[100] Shiau J-S, Liu S-H. Effect of magnesium oxide content on final slag fluidity of blast furnace. China Steel Technical Report. 21:21-8;2008.
[101] Loo CE, Leung W. Factors influencing the bonding phase structure of iron ore sinters. ISIJ International. 43(9):1393-402;2003.
[102] Harvey T, Honeyands T, Evans G, Godel B, O'Dea D. Analogue iron ore sinter tablet structure using high resolution X-ray computed tomography. Powder Technology. 339:81-9;2018.
[103] Li H-g, Zhang J-l, Pei Y-d, Zhao Z-x, Ma Z-j. Melting characteristics of iron ore fine during sintering process. Journal of Iron and Steel Research International. 18(5):11-5;2011.
[104] Donskoi E, Hapugoda S, Manuel JR, Poliakov A, Peterson MJ, Mali H, et al. Automated optical image analysis of iron ore sinter. Minerals. 11(6);2021.
[105] Degen T, Sadki M, Bron E, König U, Nénert G. The highscore suite. Powder Diffraction. 29(S2):S13-S8;2014.
[106] Gates-Rector S, Blanton T. The powder diffraction file: a quality materials characterization database. Powder Diffraction. 34(4):352-60;2019.
[107] Toby BH, Von Dreele RB. GSAS-II: the genesis of a modern open-source all purpose crystallography software package. Applied Crystallography. 46(2):544-9;2013.
[108] Vaitkus A, Merkys A, Gražulis S. Validation of the crystallography open database using the crystallographic information framework. Journal of Applied Crystallography. 54(2):661-72;2021.
[109] Du Y, Wei X, Guo XM. Competitive formation behavior of calcium silicate and calcium ferrite in sintering of iron ore fines. steel research international.2400086;2024.
[110] Wang W, Yang D, Ou-Yang Z, Xu R, Song M. Effect of SiO2 on the formation of acicular calcium ferrite in sinter. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 50(2):678-87;2019.
[111] Rhines FN. Phase diagrams in metallurgy: their development and application. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1956.
[112] Major Mines & Projects | Yandi Mine. MiningDataOnline.
[113] Roy Hill Iron Ore Project, Pilbara. Mining Technology.
[114] Ramanaidou ER, Morris RC, Horwitz RC. Channel iron deposits of the Hamersley Province, Western Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences. 50(5):669-90;2003.
[115] Geoscience A. Iron. Geoscience Australia.2025.
[116] Vale MRO-. Vale on the West III Project 2020 [Available from: https://vale.com/w/vale-on-the-west-iii-project.
[117] Carajás Iron Deposits, Serra dos Carajás. PorterGeo Database.
[118] Clout JMF, Fitzgerald, B. The Roy Hill project. Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy; Melbourne, Australia,2011.
[119] Iron Ore Company of C. About IOC. Iron Ore Company of Canada.
[120] Donskoi E, Manuel JR, Hapugoda S, Poliakov A, Raynlyn T, Austin P, et al. Automated optical image analysis of goethitic iron ores. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy. 131(1):14-24;2020.
[121] Clout J, Manuel J. Mineralogical, chemical, and physical characteristics of iron ore. Iron Ore: Elsevier; 2015. p. 45-84.
[122] MacRae C, Wilson N, Pownceby M, Miller P. The occurrence of phosphorus and other impurities in Australian iron ores. Iron Ore. 2011:281-9;2011.
[123] Ramanaidou E, Wells M. Sedimentary Hosted Iron Ores. 2014. p. 313-55.
[124] Nicol S, Chen J, Pownceby MI, Webster NA. A review of the chemistry, structure and formation conditions of silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum (‘SFCA’) phases. ISIJ International. 58(12):2157-72;2018.
[125] Gan M, Fan X, Ji Z, Chen X, Yin L, Jiang T, et al. High temperature mineralization behavior of mixtures during iron ore sintering and optimizing methods. ISIJ International. 55(4):742-50;2015.
[126] Sinha M, Nistala S, Chandra S, Mankhand T, Ghose A. Correlating mechanical properties of sinter phases with their chemistry and its effect on sinter quality. Ironmaking & Steelmaking. 44(2):100-7;2017.
[127] Peterson M. Quantifying the composite microhardness and fracture toughness of iron ore sinter–a phase-based approach. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy. 131(4):307-19;2022.
[128] Mežibrický R, Csanadi T, Vojtko M, Fröhlichová M, Abart R. Effect of alumina and silica content in the calcium aluminosilicoferrite Ca2 (Ca, Fe, Mg) 6 (Fe, Si, Al) 6O20 bonding phase on the strength of iron ore sinter. Materials Chemistry and Physics. 257:123733;2021.
[129] Selleby M. An assessment of the Ca-Fe-O-Si system. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 28(4):577-96;1997.
[130] Gao F, Liu Y, Zhang L, Seifert HJ, Du Y. Thermodynamic assessment of the Al2O3-Fe2O3-FeO system by introducing the AlO2− 1 species into the thermodynamic model for liquid phase. Journal of Molecular Liquids. 425:127191;2025.
[131] Prostakova V, Shishin D, Shevchenko M, Jak E. Thermodynamic optimization of the Al2O3–FeO–Fe2O3–SiO2 oxide system. Calphad. 67:101680;2019.
[132] Cheng S, Shevchenko M, Hayes PC, Jak E. Experimental phase equilibria studies in the FeO-Fe2O3-CaO-Al2O3 system in air. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 52(4):2416-29;2021.
[133] Andersson J-O, Helander T, Höglund L, Shi P, Sundman B. Thermo-Calc & DICTRA, computational tools for materials science. Calphad. 26(2):273-312;2002.
[134] Magalhaes MS, Brandao PRG, Tavares RP. Types of goethite from Quadrilátero Ferrífero's iron ores and their implications in the sintering process. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy. 116(1):54-64;2007.
[135] Das S, Das B, Sakthivel R, Mishra B. Mineralogy, microstructure, and chemical composition of goethites in some iron ore deposits of Orissa, India. Mineral Processing & Extractive Metallurgy Review. 31(2):97-110;2010.
[136] Cornell RM, Schwertmann U. The iron oxides: structure, properties, reactions, occurrences, and uses: Wiley-vch Weinheim; 2003.
[137] Li H, Pinson DJ, Zulli P, Lu L, Longbottom RJ, Chew SJ, et al. Interaction between mineral phases in a goethitic iron ore and fluxing materials during sintering. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 52:996-1011;2021.
[138] Zhu D, Xue Y, Pan J, Yang C, Guo Z, Tian H, et al. An investigation into aluminum occurrence impact on SFCA formation and sinter matrix strength. Journal of Materials Research and Technology. 9(5):10223-34;2020.
[139] Xue Y, Pan J, Zhu D, Guo Z, Yang C, Lu L, et al. Improving high-alumina iron ores processing via the investigation of the influence of alumina concentration and type on high-temperature characteristics. Minerals. 10(9):802;2020.
[140] Chen C, Lu L, Jiao K. Thermodynamic modelling of iron ore sintering reactions. Minerals. 9(6):361;2019.