Abstract: A particulate carrier material for use with particulate passivated magnesium for injection into molten iron to desulfurize the iron, improve characteristics of the slag and increase iron yield. Material flow of a transport gas and the carrier material is established in a lance prior to inserting the lance into a ladle-contained molten iron, then following insertion the passivated magnesium is added to the material flow. A second embodiment of the invention for iron desulfurization, blends the carrier material and passivated magnesium into a single desulfurization agent. In both embodiments the particulate magnesium is 14-20 mesh with the remaining particulate material being about 200 mesh. The composition of the carrier material is 54-74% calcium oxide, 19-32% aluminum oxide, no more than 4% magnesium oxide, no more than 10% calcium fluoride, no more than 2.5% silicon dioxide, no more than 1.0% iron oxide, no more than 0.025% phosphorus pentoxide, no more than 0.025% titanium dioxide, no more than 0.

Abstract: A method for the dephosphorization of a chromium-containing molten pig iron with a reduced oxidation loss of chromium wherein a solid-gas mixture of a particulate flux dispersed in an oxygen-containing gas is injected into the chromium-containing molten pig iron from a location below a surface level of the chromium-containing molten pig iron, the flux containing at least 70% by weight of CaO and CaF.sub.2 in sum with a weight ratio of CaO to CaF.sub.2 (CaO/CaF.sub.2) of not lower than 4/6, the solid-gas mixture having an O.sub.2 /(CaO+CaF.sub.2) ratio within the range of from 20 to 120 Nl/kg wherein O.sub.2 is an amount of oxygen in Nl contained in the oxygen-containing gas.