The curing phase is a mandatory structural transition, not merely a drying period. It is the specific interval required for the binder within the manganese ore pellets to shift from a malleable, plastic state into a rigid, crystalline structure, enabling the material to withstand industrial pressure.
The core purpose of curing is to facilitate the slow evaporation of moisture and the recrystallization of sugars within the binder. This chemical change converts the pellet from a soft mixture into a hardened unit with high compressive strength, preventing it from disintegrating inside a submerged arc furnace.
The Mechanism of Structural Change
From Plastic to Crystalline
When manganese ore pellets are first pressed, the binder (typically molasses-based) keeps the material in a "plastic" state. This means the pellet is cohesive but soft and pliable.
The curing time is essential to drive the phase change of this binder. As the process continues, the sugars contained in the binder begin to recrystallize. This transforms the internal matrix of the pellet from a soft paste into a hard, solid structure.
The Role of Moisture Evaporation
This structural transformation is driven by the removal of water.
However, the reference highlights that moisture must evaporate slowly. This gradual removal of water is the catalyst that allows the dissolved sugars to precipitate correctly.
If the water remains, the sugars stay in solution, and the binder cannot solidify into the necessary lattice structure.
Why Strength Matters for Smelting
Enhancing Cohesive Force
The primary physical outcome of the curing process is a significant increase in cohesive force.
The recrystallized binder acts as a powerful adhesive, locking the individual ore powder particles together. This internal bonding is what generates the pellet's final physical integrity.
Withstanding the Submerged Arc Furnace
The ultimate test of a pellet is its ability to survive the smelting environment.
If a pellet enters a submerged arc furnace without sufficient curing, it lacks compressive strength. The intense pressure and heat will cause uncured pellets to pulverize (turn back into dust).
Pulverization disrupts gas flow and reaction efficiency within the furnace. Therefore, curing is a strict requirement to ensure the feed material remains intact during processing.
Understanding the Trade-offs
The Risk of Rushing
A common operational error is viewing curing simply as "drying" that can be accelerated with intense heat.
However, the process relies on the recrystallization phenomenon. Rushing the process does not allow the plastic-to-crystalline transition to occur uniformly.
The Consequence of Incomplete Curing
Using pellets before the specific curing time has elapsed results in structural failure.
Because the binder remains partially plastic, the cohesive force between particles is weak. These pellets may look solid on the outside but will crumble under the weight of the furnace burden.
Making the Right Choice for Your Operation
To maximize the efficiency of your smelting process, you must respect the chemistry of the binder.
- If your primary focus is Physical Durability: Ensure the curing time is sufficient to allow for complete sugar recrystallization, creating a hard crystalline lattice.
- If your primary focus is Furnace Efficiency: Verify that pellets have transitioned out of the "plastic" state to prevent pulverization and dust generation inside the arc furnace.
Proper curing turns a fragile mixture into a resilient industrial feedstock capable of surviving the smelting process.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Initial Pressed State | Post-Curing State |
|---|---|---|
| Binder State | Plastic / Malleable | Rigid / Crystalline |
| Moisture Content | High | Low (Slowly Evaporated) |
| Structural Matrix | Soft Paste | Hardened Solid Lattice |
| Strength Level | Low Compressive Strength | High Compressive Strength |
| Furnace Behavior | Risks Pulverization | Maintains Physical Integrity |
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References
- Dhaffiny Rondon Gonçalves, Leandro Gustavo Mendes de Jesus. Compressive strength of manganese fine-grained material and molasses briquettes regarding binder content and curing time. DOI: 10.14419/v4z51n20
This article is also based on technical information from Kintek Press Knowledge Base .
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