Abstract
The stability of cementite formed during the reduction of hematite and preoxidized. titanomagnetite ores in a methane-hydrogen gas mixture was examined in the temperature interval 500 degrees C to 900 degrees C for the hematite ore and 300 degrees C to 1100 degrees C for titanomagnetite. Cementite formed from hematite ore was most stable at temperatures between 750 degrees C to 770 degrees C. Its decomposition rate increased with decreasing temperature between 750 degrees C and 600 degrees C and with increasing temperature above 770 degrees C. Cementite formed from preoxidized titanomagnetite was most stable in the temperature range 700 degrees C to 900 degrees C. The rate of cementite decomposition increased with decreasing temperature between 700 degrees C and 400 degrees C and with increasing temperature above 900 degrees C. Cementite formed from titanomagnetite ore was more stable than cementite formed from hematite under all conditions examined.