Study on non-metallic inclusions in Al killed high strength alloy steel refined by high basicity and high Al_2O_3 content slag

Laboratory and industrial studies were carried out to investigate non-metallic inclusions in high strength alloy steel refined by high basicity and high Al_2O_3 slag.It was found that the steel/slag reaction time largely affected non-metallic inclusions.With the reaction time increased from 30 min to 90 min in laboratory study,MgO-Al_2O_3 spinels were gradually changed into CaO-MgO-Al_2O_3 system inclusions surrounded by softer CaO-Al_2O_3 surface layers.By using high basicity slag which contained as much as 41%Al_2O_3 in the laboratory study,ratio of low melting temperature CaO-MgO-Al_2O_3 system inclusions was remarkably increased to above 80%.In the industrial experiment,during the secondary refining,the inclusions changed in order of 'Al_2O_3→MgO-Al_2O_3→CaO-MgO-Al_2O_3'.Through the LF and RH refining,most inclusions could be transferred to lower melting temperature CaO-Al_2O_3 and CaO-MgO-Al_2O_3 system inclusions.

Three-dimensional analysis technology for accurately characterizing non-metallic inclusion particles in steel

In this paper, a kind of three-dimensional analysis technology for characterizing non-metallic inclusions in steel was clearly elaborated. It is an electron microscopy observation, namely the non-aqueous electrolysis extraction method with a settled coulometer. In the research,the extraction effects of non-metallic inclusions in different electrolysis systems were studied, and it was concluded that alkalescent 2% TEA non-aqueous electrolyte was applicable for extracting most of non-metallic inclusion particles in steel. And then, in order to ensure the microscopic characterization and statistical calculation of inclusion particles, some electrolysis parameters should be confirmed, such as the size of the sample, control of the electrolysis mass, electric current, etc. Furthermore, for preventing the disturbance of carbides and presenting clear three-dimensional appearance by microscopic characterization, magnetic separation was utilized to separate the inclusion particles from carbides, which was useful for getting more veracious types, particle sizes and chemical composition of inclusions. Moreover, through calculation of quantity and particle size of inclusions in continuous determinate fields, the total quantity per unit volume or area and the particle size distribution of inclusions could be acquired by conversion with electrolysis loss. Besides, the comparison between this method and traditional quantitative metallography was also discussed, and finally, a conclusion was drawn that both of them have respectively applications in characterizing inclusions.

Behavior of Non-metallic Inclusions in Centrifugal Induction Electroslag Castings

In order to know the behavior of non-metallic inclusions in centrifugal induction electroslag castings (CIESC), non-metallic inclusions in 5CrMnMo and 4Cr5MoSiV1 were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. The largest size of inclusions in the casting and the thermodynamic possibility of TiN precipitation in steel were also calculated. The results show that sulfide inclusions are evenly distributed and the content is low. The amount of oxide inclusions in CIESC: 4Cr5MoSiV1 steel is close to the ESR steel and lower than that in the EAF steel, and there are some differences along radial direction. Nitride inclusions are fine and the diameter of the largest one is 3-1 mum. With the increase of the centrifugal machine's rotational speed, the ratio of round inclusions increases and the ratio of sharp inclusions decreases. According to the experiment and the calculation results, it is pointed out that the largest diameter of non-metallic inclusions in the CIESC 4Cr5MoSiV1 casting is only 6.6 mum, and [N%][Ti%] in 4Cr5MoSiV1 steel should be controlled less than 4.4x 10(-5) in order to further reduce the amount and size of TiN inclusions.

Non-metallic Inclusions in Continuously Cast Aluminum Killed Steels

In aluminum killed steels, the size, shape, quantity and formation of non-metallic inclusions in ladle steel (before and after RH vacuum treatment) and in tundish as well as in slabs were studied by EPMA (Electron Probe Microanalysis) and by analyzing the total oxygen. The results showed that in the slabs the total oxygen was quite low and the inclusions discovered were mainly small-sized angular alumina inclusions. This indicates that most inclusions have been removed by floating out during the continuous casting process. In addition, the countermeasures were discussed to decrease the alumina inclusions in the slabs further.

Effect of continuous casting speed on mold surface flow and the related near-surface distribution of non-metallic inclusions

For the control of surface defects in interstitial-free(IF) steel, quantitative metallographic analyses of near-surface inclusions and surface liquid flow detection via the nail-board tipping method were conducted. The results show that, at casting speeds of 0.8 and 1.0 m/min, a thin liquid mold flux layer forms and non-uniform floating of argon bubbles occurs, inducing the entrainment and subsequent entrapment of the liquid flux; fine inclusion particles of Al_2O_3 can also aggregate at the solidification front. At higher casting speeds of 1.4 and 1.6 m/min, the liquid mold flux can be entrained and carried deeper into the liquid steel pool because of strong level fluctuations of the liquid steel and the flux. The optimal casting speed is approximately 1.2 m/min, with the most favorable surface flow status and, correspondingly, the lowest number of inclusions near the slab surface.

Effects of calcium treatment on non-metallic inclusions and magnetic properties of non-oriented silicon steel sheets

Based on the industrial production of non-oriented silicon steel,calcium treatment by CaSi wire feeding during the RH refining process was studied. The thermodynamics of CaS inclusion formation was analyzed, and the morphology and the size distribution were observed. Furthermore, the change in inclusion characteristics after calcium treatment and the effect of calcium treatment on magnetic properties were discussed. The results show that the formation of MnS and A1N inclusions were restrained, and the aggregating, floating and removing of microinclusions after calcium treatment were effectively promoted. The cleanliness of liquid steel was obviously increased. The main type of inclusions was single phase of CaO, with some complex inclusions composed of CaO, SiO2 and MgO. No CaS inclusion was observed after an appropriate calcium treatment. The size of all inclusions was distributed in the range of 2 - 20 μm, and the number was about 1.8 × 10^5/mm3. In addition, as an increasing amount of calcium was added,the core loss gradually decreased to a stable level, and the magnetic induction decreased quickly after a slow increase. The optimal calcium treatment mode depends on the chemical composition of steel.

Study on the separation process of non-metallic inclusions at the steel-slag interface using water modeling

The separation process of non-metallic inclusions at the steel–slag interface was simulated by physical modeling. Three different kinds of particles (octahedral, plate-like, and spherical) and three different oils (kerosene, bean oil, and pump oil) were used to model inclusions and slags, respectively. The effects of inclusion geometry (shape and size) and slag properties (viscosity and interfacial tension) on the separation process were investigated. The results revealed that the variation of surface free energy and the viscosity of the slag are two significant factors affecting the separation process of inclusions at the steel–slag interface. The variation of surface free energy helped inclusions enter the slag phase, whereas the decrease of slag viscosity shortened the separation time. The deformation of the steel–slag interface could give rise to the resistance force, which would resist inclusions passing through the interface. A liquid film formed on the inclusion as it passed through the steel–slag interface, which might be related to the inclusion’s shape. © 2017, University of Science and Technology Beijing and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Evaluation of Characteristics of Non-Metallic Inclusions in P/M Ni-Base Superalloy by Automatic Image Analysis

Non-metallic inclusions,especially the large ones,within P/M Ni-base superalloy have a major influence on fatigue characteristics,but are not directly measurable by routine inspection.In this paper,a method,automatic image analysis,is proposed for estimation of the content,size and amount of non-metallic inclusions in superalloy.The methodology for the practical application of this method is described and the factors affecting the precision of the estimation are discussed.In the experiment,the characteristics of the non-metallic inclusions in Ni-base P/M superalloy are analyzed.

Characterization and analysis of non-metallic inclusions in Ni42-Fe expansive alloy

Cracks and ruptures always occur during wire drawing process of 42% nickel-iron expansive alloy. In order to study the reasons of these phenomena,a method of metallographic observation in combination with sample electrolysis was used to characterize the non-metallic inclusions in the alloy wire. The results indicate that the inclusions in the alloy are oxidation products during the process of melting. There are single or complex phase inclusions composed of elements such as Al,Si,Ca,Ti,Fe,and O2. Among them,the macro-inclusions are TiO2 compound inclusions formed by the adhesion of Al and Si oxides on them. These inclusions are fragile ones with a low strain rate,as well as a rather high hardness,so that they are the main reason that leads to the surface cracks and ruptures in the alloy wires. The analysis has educed that the key point to enhance the product quality is to promote the cleanliness of the melt,control the types and quantity of non-metal inclusions in the alloy.

Effect of Al content on modification behavior of non-metallic inclusions in high-strength steel treated with rare earth

The influence of Al content(0.0053,0.0171,and 0.0578 wt.%)on the modification behavior of non-metallic inclusions in 20CrMoVTiB steel treated with rare earth elements was studied through high-temperature experiments and thermodynamic simulation.The results showed that the modification products varied with the Al content in steel under 0.01 wt.%of Ce addition.The formation sequence of typical rare earth inclusions in steel with the increase in Al content was Ce_(2)O_(3)→CeAlO_(3)→CeAl_(11)O_(18),and the final stable products were highly Al content dependent.When the Al content was 0.0053 wt.%,the stable phase in steel was Ce2O3;while the[Al]reached 0.0171 wt.%,the stable phase became CeA1O_(3).As the A1 content reached 0.0578 wt.%,CeAl_(11)O_(18) became the stable phase.As a result,increasing the Al content could inhibit the precipitation of Ce_(2)O_(3) inclusions in steel while promote the formation of CeAIO3 and CeAl_(11)O_(18) inclusions.In addition,both Ca treatment and Ce treatment could effectively refine the size of inclusions in steel by changing their types.However,the feeding amount of Ca wire into molten steel should be appropriately reduced under the condition of adding Ce simultaneously,which is expected to be beneficial for an improved Ce treatment effect.

Study on formation of non-metallic inclusions with lower melting temperatures in extra low oxygen special steels

Investigations were made both in laboratorial and industrial scales on formation of non-metallic inclusions with relatively lower melting temperatures to improve the fatigue property of the special steels which contained extra low oxygen.It was found in laboratory studies that steel/slag reaction time largely affected non-metallic inclusions in steel.With the slag/steel reaction time increasing from 30 to 90 min,inclusions of MgO-Al2O3 spinel were gradually changed into CaO-MgO-Al2O3 system inclusions which were surrounded by lower melting temperature softer CaO-Al2O3 surface layers.By using high basicity and as much as 41 mass% Al2O3 refining slag,the ratio of the lower melting temperature CaO-MgO-Al2O3 system inclusions was remarkably increased to above 80%.In the industrial experiments,it was found that the inclusions changed in the order of "Al2O3 →MgO-Al2O3 system→CaO-MgO-Al2O3 system" in the secondary refining,and the change from MgO-Al2O3 system to CaO-MgO-Al2O3 system took place from the outside to the inside.The diffusion of CaO and MgO inside the layer of CaO-MgO-Al2O3 was considered as the controlling step of the inclusion transfer.Through LF and RH refining,most inclusions could be transferred to lower melting temperature CaO-Al2O3 and CaO-MgO-Al2O3 system inclusions.

Non-Metallic Inclusion Distribution in Surface Layer of IF Steel Slabs

Non-metallic inclusion distribution in the surface layer of IF steel slabs during unsteady casting was investigated using the original position statistic distribution analysis（OPA）method.It was found that most non-metallic inclusions larger than 10 μm existed in the subsurface layers of 0.5-3.5 mm from the slab surfaces and very few large non-metallic inclusions were found in the inner regions（≥4.5 mm from slab surfaces）.In addition,it was found that at high casting speed level（1.4 m/min）,even a slight change of casting speed could result in a remarkable increase of the non-metallic inclusions.Thus,at high casting speed,changing the casting speed should be avoided or considerably lower speed changing rate must be used.

Non-metallic inclusions in electroslag remelting:a review

Non-metallic inclusion in electroslag remelting is a constant topic that has been studied for decades.Different results and conclusions are obtained on some of the subjects from these previous investigations.These differences originate in part from different experimental conditions,including original inclusion chemistries in consumable electrode,slag composition,oxygen level,liquid metal compositions,deoxidation schemes,and melting rates of electroslag remelting.The advances in the operating practices of inclusion control in electroslag remelting production are reviewed.Inclusion evolution during the electroslag remelting and related processing parameters are also reviewed and assessed.The role of the reoxidation of liquid steel during electroslag remelting on oxide inclusion composition is discussed.The generation of inclusions in remelted ingot is critically assessed.Perspective and remaining issues are noted.

Investigation on Non-Metallic Inclusions in LCAK Steel Produced by BOF-LF-FTSC Production Route

The behavior of non-metallic inclusions in LCAK （low carbon aluminum killed） steel produced by BOF （basic oxygen furnace）-LF （ladle furnace） refining-FTSC （flexible thin slab continuous caster） production route was investigated. The results showed that, LF refining for LCAK steel could decrease the wT[o] significantly, and the inclusions were modified by Ca treatment, which prevented nozzle clogging efficiently. However, owing to the unstable casting condition in the earlier stage of casting, a severe reoxidation occurred, accompanied with mold slag entrapment. The transformation of non-metallic inclusions during the steelmaking process was Al2O3→MgO→Al2O3 type inclusion→MgO-Al2O3 O3-CaO type inclusion with a CaS ring, and the mechanism of the transformation was pro posed and discussed via thermodynamic and kinetic analysis. Besides, to avoid CaS precipitation, the product of W[Al] ×w3[S] in steel should be less than 2.0 × 10 10 at 1873 K, which remands higher desulfurization ratio during LF refining.

Influence of Prior Austenite Deformation and Non-Metallic Inclusions on Ferrite Formation in Low-Carbon Steels

Effects of prior austenite deformation and non-metallic inclusions on the ferrite nucleation and grain refine- ment of two kinds of low-carbon steels have been studied. The ferrite nucleation on MnS and V（C, N） is observed. The combination of thermomeehanical processes with adequate amounts of non-metallic inclusions formed in low-car- bon steels could effectively refine the grain size and the microstructure. Ferrite nucleated on the single MnS or V（C, N） inclusions and complex MnS＋V（C,N） inclusion. The proper addition of elements S and V could effectively promote the formation of ferrite and further refinement of ferrite grains.

Chemical Composition Control of Non-Metallic Inclusions in High Alloy Steel Production Process

There is a close relation between the characteristics of products and the chemical composition control of inclusions in steelmaking process. Therefore, it is very important for a warranty of product’s characteristics to improve inclusion quality resulting in defective products. In the present work, the control technique of inclusions’ chemical composition is discussed thermodynamically based on the Redlich-Kister type polynomial to metallic solution and regular solution model to molten oxide solution. It is very effective for the precise chemical composition control of oxides to determine the concentration of deoxidizers based on the thermodynamic relation among dissolved deoxidizers and oxygen, because it is known that oxide inclusions are equilibrated with them in molten steel in the steel making process. High alloy steel production process was focused in the present work.

Effect of ferromanganese additions on non-metallic inclusion characteristics in TRIP steel

The inclusion characteristics in extra low-carbon ferromanganese(ELC-FeMn),low-carbon ferromanganese(LC-FeMn),mid-carbon ferromanganese(MC-FeMn),and high-carbon ferromanganese(HC-FeMn)were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy.The effect of FeMn alloys on the cleanliness of transformation-induced plasticity(TRIP)steel was studied based on laboratory-scale experiments and thermodynamic calculations.The results show that the main inclusions in ELC-FeMn are MnO-MnS and MnS,and the dominant inclusions in LC-FeMn and MC-FeMn are MnO,MnO-SiO_(2),and MnO-SiO_(2)-MnS.The inclusions in HC-FeMn are diversified.Besides MnO-SiO_(2)inclusion,a certain number of Al-,Si-,and Ti-containing inclusions and enrichment phases of Pb,Sn,and P are observed in HC-FeMn.Before FeMn alloy addition,the main inclusion in steel is Al2O.After alloying with the four different grades of FeMn alloy,the main inclusions in TRIP steel are Al_(2)O_(3),AIN,MnS,AlO3-AIN,AINMnS,and Al_(2)O_(3)-MnS.The MnO and SiO_(2)inclusions from FeMn alloys are not detected in TRIP steel.

Effect of Calcium Treatment on Non-Metallic Inclusions in Ultra-Low Oxygen Steel Refined by High Basicity High Al_2O_3 Slag

The influence of calcium treatment on non-metallic inclusions had been studied when control technology of refining top slag in ladle furnace was used in ultra-low oxygen steelmaking. A sufficient amount aluminium was added to experimental heats for final deoxidizing during BOF tapping, and the refining top slag with strong reducibility, high basicity and high Al2O3 in ladle furnace was used to produce ultra-low oxygen steel and the transformation of nonmetallic inclusions in molten steel was compared by calcium treatment and no calcium treatment. The results show that the transformation of Al2O3--MgO - Al2O3 spinel-CaO-MgO-Al2O3 complex inclusions has been completed for aluminum deoxidation products and calcium treatment to molten steel is unnecessary when using the control technology of ladle furnace refining top slag to produce ultra-low oxygen steel, and the complex inclusions are liquid at the temperature of steelmaking and easily removable to obtain very high cleanliness steel by flotation. Further- more, the problems of nozzle clogging in casting operations do not happen and the remaining oxide inclusions in steel are the relatively lower melting point complex inclusions.

Surface Defects of Cold-Rolled Ti-IF Steel Sheets due to Non-Metallic Inclusions

Surface defects of the cold-rolled sheets of Ti-IF steel were studied and analyzed. After analyzing surface defects of cold-rolled sheets, such as shelling defects, holes and sliver defects by SEM/EDS, a variety of inclusions were found. In addition, the distribution of macro-inclusions in slabs was analyzed by MIDAS method. The results show the macroscopic inclusion bands of head slabs and normal slabs are in 1/8 slab thickness regions of both inner arc side and outer arc side. The formation process of the defects in the cold-rolled sheets was simulated with an experimental cold-rolling machine for comparison. The results show that there were three kinds of inclusions underneath the surface defects: Al2O3, SiO2 and particles from slag entrainment, which were the main reason for defect formation during cold rolling.

Variation of Non-Metallic Inclusions Composition in X80 Pipeline Steel Refined by High Basicity Slag

The transformation of inclusions was studied when control technology of refining top slag in ladle furnace was used in X80 pipeline steelmaking.Sufficient amount of aluminum was added to experimental heats for final deoxidation during BOF tapping,and then the refining top slag with high basicity and strong reducibility was adopted to transform Al 2 O 3 to inclusions with low melting point.The results show that the composition of inclusions changes in order of "Al 2 O 3 → MgO-Al 2 O 3 system→ CaO-MgO-Al 2 O 3 system→ CaO-Al 2 O 3 system".And the inclusions after LF refining are liquid or semi-liquid state at the temperature of steelmaking,which are easily removable to obtain high cleanliness steel by collision,agglomeration and flotation.