Fluxes are added to steelmaking process to form basic slag and limit refractory lining consumption. Early formation of CaO-and MgO-saturated slag is critical for process productivity. To achieve this, flux must be dissolved in the melt in a limited process time, and the properties of a slag additive influence the fluxing efficiency. The dissolution behavior of samples with different qualities (i.e. raw dolomite, limestone, soft-burnt and hard-burnt quicklime and dolime) was investigated in the pre-melted model BOF and EAF slags at 1673 K and 1723 K. The disc-shaped sample was immersed into the melt and left there until slag solidification was reached. After a holding time between 5 and 20 minutes, the crucible with the sample were quenched with liquid nitrogen. The fused samples were analyzed by SEM method. Based on comparison of slag morphology and concentration changes in the slag, the dissolution behavior of the samples was examined.

The addition of basic additives in steelmaking processes is essential because these lead to slag adaptation and enable refining reactions. In calcination treatment, the process parameters temperature and dwell time influence the decomposition of dolomite as a magnesium‐containing lime substitute. It results in specific properties such as varying residual fractions of carbonates CaCO3·MgCO3 and porosity. The properties affect the dissolution kinetics, and the fast and complete dissolution is of interest. Hence, the static high‐temperature dissolution tests using dolomite‐based samples in diverse conditions (raw, modified, soft‐burnt, and hard‐burnt) are executed to determine the impact of the calcination state. The specimens are immersed in synthetic electric arc furnace slag, including 10 wt% Al2O3, 25 wt% SiO2, 25 wt% CaO, 8 wt% MnO, and 32 wt% FeO. The dolomite or dolime dissolves in the stagnant oxidic melt within the reaction time of 10 min at 1450 °C. The resulting chemistries of quenched slags, representing the current dissolution status, are examined by scanning electron microscopy using energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis on metallographically prepared cross‐sections and via X‐ray fluorescence analysis of mechanically extracted slag fractions. The dissolution performance is characterized and compared for the different additive materials.