A measurement device is provided for determining the oxygen activity in
molten metal or slag with a measurement head, which is arranged at one
end of a carrier tube and on which an electrochemical measurement cell is
arranged. The electrochemical measurement cell has a solid electrolyte
tube, which is closed at one end and which contains a reference material
and an electrode at its closed end. The electrode projects from the
opposite end of the solid electrolyte tube. The outer surface of the
solid electrolyte tube has a coating of a mixture of calcium zirconate
with a fluoride. The measurement device can be used for calculating the
sulfur, silicon and/or carbon content of the molten metal or slag from
reaction of the sulfur with the calcium zirconate, which releases oxygen,
and measurement of the resulting change in oxygen activity of the melt or
slag at the outer surface of the solid electrolyte tube.