PROBE FOR DETECTION OF THE CONCENTRATION OF VARIOUS ELEMENTSIN MOLTEN METAL

摘要

A system is provided for measuring the concentration of an element in molten metal such as silicon, chromium, manganese or aluminum. The system includes a probe (22) with a sensor (10) having a solid electrolyte (12), a reference electrode (14) in contact with a first surface of the electrolyte and an auxiliary electrode (16) at a second surface thereof. The auxiliary electrod e includes an oxide of the element to be measured and a metal-silicate selecte d from the group consisting of alkali metal-silicates, alkaline earth metal- silicates and mixtures thereof. The metal-silicate has a working point at about the temperature of the molten metal so as to form a viscous semi-molte n mass adjacent the second surface of the electrolyte. The metal-silicate is capable of diffusing oxygen in the semi-molten state. Preferably the metal- silicate is in the form of a fibrous material so that it can be easily appli ed to the surface of the electrolyte.