Iron production additive

Abstract

An oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production is disclosed. The additive may be produced as an aggregate composed of Silicon carbide, graphite and bentonite which is added to iron during production to reduce oxidation loses, slag generation and increase the yield of iron. The iron casting produced using the disclosed additive has improved properties including increased fluidity, tensile strength and nodularity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production comprising:
 a) a portion composed of a silicon carbide material;   b) a portion composed of a bentonite material; and,   c) a portion composed of a graphite material, the portions mixed together to form an additive for oxidation reduction during iron production.   
     
     
         2 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 1  wherein the proportion of the graphite to the silicon carbide material is at least 2:1. 
     
     
         3 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 1  wherein the proportion of the graphite to the silicon carbide material is 2:1. 
     
     
         4 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 1  wherein the bentonite material is less than 1% weight of the additive. 
     
     
         5 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 1  wherein the weight percent of silica carbide is 33% and the weight percent of bentonite is 0.25%. 
     
     
         6 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 1  the weight percent of Silicon carbide is 30%-40%, the weight percent of bentonite is 0.05%-2.5% and the weight percentage of graphite is 60%-70%. 
     
     
         7 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 1  wherein the additive was added to a charge mix, having a charge mix weight, at a rate of between 0.20-0.30 weight percent of the charge mix weight. 
     
     
         8 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 1  wherein the additive was added to a charge mix, having a charge mix weight, at a rate of between 0.1-0.40 weight percent of the charge mix weight. 
     
     
         9 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 1  wherein upon introduction of the additive into the charge mix results in a reduction of a quantity of slag produced. 
     
     
         10 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 1  wherein the additive was added to a charge mix, having a charge mix weight, at a rate of between 0.1-0.40 weight percent of the charge mix weight and reduced oxidation during iron melt. 
     
     
         11 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 1  wherein the additive is manufactured from a combination of components selected from the group consisting of silicon, carbon and clay and or combinations therein. 
     
     
         12 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 1  wherein the additive is manufactured from a combination of components selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, bentonite, and carbon graphite and or combinations therein. 
     
     
         13 . An oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production comprising:
 a) a portion composed of a silicon carbide material forming a core;   b) a binder composed of a bentonite material forming a binder layer affixed to the core;   c) an outer layer composed of a graphite material, the outer layer affixed to the binder layer to form an aggregate.   
     
     
         14 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 13  wherein the proportion of the graphite to the silicon carbide material is 2:1 by weight. 
     
     
         15 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 13  wherein the bentonite material is less than 1% weight of the additive. 
     
     
         16 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 13  wherein the weight % of bentonite in the additive is 0.5-3.0%. 
     
     
         17 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 13  wherein the weight percent of Silicon carbide is 30%-40%, the weight percent of bentonite is 0.05%-2.5% and the weight percentage of graphite is 60%-70%. 
     
     
         18 . The oxidative reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 13  wherein the additive is added to a charge mix, having a charge mix weight, at a rate of between 0.1-0.40 weight percent of the charge mix weight. 
     
     
         19 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 13  wherein the additive is manufactured from a combination of components selected from the group consisting of silicon, carbon and clay and or combinations therein. 
     
     
         20 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 1  wherein the additive is manufactured from a combination of components selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, bentonite, and carbon graphite and or combinations therein. 
     
     
         21 . The oxidation reduction additive useful in iron production according to  claim 13  wherein upon introduction into the charge mix results in a reduction of a quantity of slag produced during iron production.