Question

Define the term slag with examples of acidic and basic fluxes.

Answer 1

The fusible product formed by the chemical combination of a flux with the gangue (earthy impurities) present in an ore during high-temperature smelting.

\[\ce{Flux + Gangue -> Slag}\]

Acidic Flux: Added to remove basic impurities (like FeO).

Example: Silica (SiO₂)

Basic Flux: Added to remove acidic impurities (like SiO₂).

Example: Lime or Calcium Oxide (CaO) or Magnesium Oxide (MgO)