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.

Decomposition mechanism of chromite in sulfuric acid–dichromic acid solution

The sulfuric acid leaching process is regarded as a promising, cleaner method to prepare trivalent chromium products from chromite; however, the decomposition mechanism of the ore is poorly understood. In this work, binary spinels of Mg–Al, Mg–Fe, and Mg–Cr in the powdered and lump states were synthesized and used as raw materials to investigate the decomposition mechanism of chromite in sulfuric acid–dichromic acid solution. The leaching yields of metallic elements and the changes in morphology of the spinel were studied. The experimental results showed that the three spinels were stable in sulfuric acid solution and that dichromic acid had little influence on the decomposition behavior of the Mg–Al spinel and Mg–Fe spinel because Mg^(2+), Al^(3+), and Fe^(3+) in spinels cannot be oxidized by Cr^(6+). However, in the case of the Mg–Cr spinel, dichromic acid substantially promoted the decomposition efficiency and functioned as a catalyst. The decomposition mechanism of chromite in sulfuric acid–dichromic acid solution was illustrated on the basis of the findings of this study.

Sulfuric acid leaching kinetics of South African chromite

The sulfuric acid leaching kinetics of South African chromite was investigated. The negative influence of a solid product layer constituted of a silicon-rich phase and chromium-rich sulfate was eliminated by crushing the chromite and by selecting proper leaching con- ditions. The dimensionless change in specific surface area and the conversion rate of the chromite were observed to exhibit a proportional re- lationship. A modified shrinking particle model was developed to account for the change in reactive surface area, and the model was fitted to experimental data. The resulting model was observed to describe experimental findings very well. Kinetics analysis revealed that the leach- ing process is controlled by a chemical reaction under the employed experimental conditions and the activation energy of the reaction is 48 kJ.mol-1.

Dissolution of Al_2TiO_5 inclusions in CaO-SiO_2-Al_2O_3 slags at 1823 K

Al-Ti-O inclusions always clog submerged nozzles in Ti-bearing Al-killed steel.A typical synthesized Al2TiO5 inclusion was immersed in a CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 molten slag for different durations at 1823 K.The Al2TiO5 dissolution paths and mechanism were revealed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS）.Decreased amounts of Ti and Al and increased amounts of Si and Ca at the dissolution boundary prove that inclusion dissolution and slag penetration simultaneously occur.SiO2 diffuses or penetrates the inclusion more quickly than CaO,as indicated by the w（CaO）/w（SiO2） value in the reaction region.A liquid product （containing 0.7-1.2 w（CaO）/w（SiO2）,15wt%-20wt% Al2O3,and 5wt%-15wt% TiO2） forms on the inclusion surface when Al2TiO5 is dissolved in the slag.Al2TiO5 initially dissolves faster than the diffusion rate of the liquid product toward the bulk slag.With increasing reaction time,the boundary reaches its largest distance,the Al2TiO5 dissolution rate equals the liquid product diffusion rate,and the dissolution process remains stable until the inclusion is completely dissolved.

Growth and aggregation control of spinel by shear-force-based melting modification of stainless steel slag

To improve the efficiency of melting modification for stainless steel(SS) slag, a shear force was introduced in this work and its effects on the spinel and silicate melt were experimentally investigated. The results indicated that the use of shear force changed the nucleation and growth behaviors of spinel and that the effects of shear force varied with its intensity. The aggregation behavior of spinel under different shear-force conditions was studied, revealing that large spinel clusters could be formed when the stirring speed was controlled. However, no notable change in the melt structure of the silicate was detected in this study. The optimal stirring speed for the melting modification treatment was 50 r·min^(-1), which substantially promoted spinel growth and aggregation, resulting in modified SS slag with excellent chromium sequestration capability.

Review on monitoring and prevention technologies of splashing induced by inappropriate slag foaming in BOF

Basic oxygen steelmaking(BOS)is the most frequently used method to produce molten steel,which is being developed to meet the requirements of being safe,efficient,clean,and intelligent.During the BOS process,splashing events cause undesirable consequences,such as casualties,low efficiency,environmental pollution,and uncontrollable operation.The causes of three types of splashing(eruptive,foaming,and metallic splashing)were unraveled and it is concluded that inappropriate foaming is the root cause of splashing.A variety of monitoring techniques for splashing have been developed to measure real-time slag foaming in a basic oxygen furnace(BOF).The audiometry technique with flexible operation and high accuracy was comprehensively introduced with a practical application.Based on the formation mechanisms,the countermeasures for the three types of splashing were proposed to regulate slag foaming in a BOF by integrating diverse measures in terms of raw materials,slag forming,blowing pattern,and the use of splashing regulating agents.Future work should emphasise an automatic action for these prevention measures in response to the splashing risk from the monitoring technology,promoting the progress of intelligent steelmaking.

Effect of Magnesium on Evolution of Oxide and Sulphide in Liquid Iron at 1873K

To reveal the effects of magnesium on the evolution of oxide and sulphide inclusions in liquid iron, both thermodynamic calculations and deoxidization experiments were carried out. The samples extracted from the liquid iron were polished and analyzed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that magne sium could modify oxide and sulphide inclusions simultaneously. Spherical MgO and irregular spinel inclusions were observed in the samples. The elongated MnS inclusions were replaced by small MgO · MgS or MgO · MgS · MnS complex inclusions, and the sulphides were distributed dispersively. The evolution mechanisms of inclusions were discussed comprehensively, and a proposed model for the formation of oxysulphide was set up.

Modification of Inclusions in Liquid Iron by Mg Treatment

Effect of Mg addition on the compositions of inclusions were studied. The results show that Mg can minimize the inclusions of steel obviously. Under the present condition, Mg deoxidation products of low-S content experimental steel would be changed in the order of Al2O3→MgAl2O4→Mg–Al–O–S→Mg–O–S. Mg deoxidation products of high-S content experimental steel generate Mg–S(–O)+MnS type inclusions, except for usual oxysulfide. And it is consistent with the results of thermodynamics calculation. Mg is preferred to react with oxide, compared with sulfide. The reaction reaches the equilibrium after 1 min or 5 min. It shows that the number and diameter of inclusions in all experimental steel samples are well under control, helping to improve the properties of steel.

Effect of Al2O3 modification on enrichment and stabilization of chromium in stainless steel slag

Spinel phase is considered to be the optimal phase for stabilization of chromium in stainless steel slag.In order to restrain chromium leaching from slag for the effective environmental protection,Al2O3 was utilized for the modification treatment,and the effects on the enrichment and stabilization of chromium were investigated. The mineral phases and the existence state of chromium in slag with various Al2O3 contents at different basicities（ w（CaO）/w（SiO2） were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy（ SEM-EDS） and X-ray diffraction（ XRD）. The results showed that chromium mainly existed in the glass and spinel phases at basicity of 1. 0 and 1. 5. As the slag basicity increased to 2. 0,chromium was also found in periclase phase. Al2O3 in the stainless steel slag reacted with MgO and Cr2O3,which could generate the Al-rich Mg（CrxAl（1- x））2O4 solid solution. Moreover,the addition of Al2O3 was favorable to reduce the solubility of chromium oxide in liquid phase and suppress the precipitation of periclase phase. The experimental results demonstrated that Al2O3 modification has a positive influence on the enrichment and the stabilization of chromium in the stainless steel slag.

A Coupled Thermodynamic Model for Prediction of Inclusions Precipitation during Solidification of Heat-resistant Steel Containing Cerium

A coupled thermodynamic model of inclusions precipitation both in liquid and solid phase and microseg- regation of solute elements during solidification of heat-resistant steel containing cerium was established. Then the model was validated by the SEM analysis of the industrial products. The type and amount of inclusions in solidifica- tion structure of 253MA heat-resistant steel were predicted by the model, and the valuable results for the inclusions controlling in 253MA steel were obtained. When the cerium addition increases, the types of inclusions transform from SiO2 and MnS to Ce2 O3 and Ce2O2 S in 253MA steel and the precipitation temperature of SiO2 and MnS decrea- ses. The inclusions CeS and CeN convert to Ce2 O3 and Ce2 O2 S as the oxygen content increases and Ce2 O3 and CeN convert to Ce2 O2 S, Ce3 S4, and MnS as the sulfur content increases. The formation temperature of SiO2 increases when the oxygen content increases and the MnS precipitation temperature increases when the sulfur content increa ses. There is only a small quantity of inclusions containing cerium in 253MA steel with high cleanliness, i. e. , low oxygen and sulfur contents. By contrast, a mass of SiO2 , MnS and Ce2 O2 S are formed in steel when the oxygen and sulfur contents are high enough. The condition that MnS precipitates in 253MA steel is 1.2wEo[O] ＋W[s]〉0. 01% and SiO2 precipitates when 2w[O] ＋wrs[S]〉0. 017% （W[S]0. 005%） and w[O]〉0. 006% （w[S]〉0. 005%）.

Inclusions and solidification structures of high pure ferritic stainless steels dual stabilized by niobium and titanium

As the raw materials in the post process of rolling and heat treatment, ingots have great effects on the properties of the final products. Inclusions and solidification structures are the most important aspects of the quality of ingots. Niobium and titanium are usually used to react with carbon and nitrogen to improve the properties of ferritic stainless steels. In this research, combined with thermodynamic calculation, effects of niobium and titanium on the inclusions and solidification structures in three kinds of high pure ferritic stainless steels with different titanium additions were investigated by optical microscope（OM）, scanning electron microscope（SEM）, transmission electron microscope（TEM）, and energy disperse spectrometer（EDS）. Results show that Al2O3 and a few（Nb,Ti）N particles form when titanium addition is 0.01 %.Furthermore, inclusions are mainly Ti N and Al2O3–Ti Ox–Ti N duplex inclusions when titanium addition is more than0.10 %. Those two types of inclusions are in well distribution, and can afford nuclei to the solidification process.Therefore, the ratio of equiaxed zone increases with the increase of titanium addition. The ratio increases from42.1 % to 64.0 % with the titanium addition increasing from 0.01 % to 0.10 %, and it increases to 85.7 % when the titanium addition reaches 0.34 %.

Growth behavior of spinel in stainless steel slag during cooling process

Spinel is an appropriate phase for sequestrating chromium in stainless steel slag to prevent chromium from polluting,and the crystal size of spinel has a significant effect on the stability of chromium and the extraction efficiency of spinel.The enrichment behavior of chromium in spinel during cooling process was investigated,and the growth process of spinel was studied based on the crystal size distribution theory.The results showed that the enrichment degree of chromium in spinel increased from 88.5% to nearly 100% during the cooling process from 1773 to 1573 K at a rate of 5 K/min.The mean diameter of spinel in stainless steel slag had an obvious growth in the cooling process,and a rapid growth of spinel occurred during the cooling process from 1623 to 1523 K.Leaching results indicated that the leaching amount of chro- mium could reduce to less than 0.01 mg/L by controlling the cooling condition.The growth mechanism of spinel was investigated and proposed to consist of two stages:in the first stage,the spinel was in the surface-controlled growth with a decaying nucleation rate from 1773 to 1573 K,and in the second stage,the growth mechanism was transformed to supply- controlled Ostwald ripening-below 1573 K.

Vortex Flow Pattern in a Slab Continuous Casting Mold with Argon Gas Injection

An Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model was developed to study the vortex flow inside a slab continuous casting mold with argon gas injection. Interracial momentum transfer that accommodated various interracial forces including drag force, lift force, virtual mass force, and turbulent dispersion force was considered. Predicted results agree well vaith experimental measurements of the water model in two-phase flow pattern and vortex flow structures. Three typical flow patterns with different argon steel ratios （ASRs） have been obtained： ＂double roll＂, ＂three roll＂, and ＂single roll＂. The flow pattern inside the mold alternates among the three types or it may attain some intermedi ate condition. With increasing ASR, the positions of vortices move from the submerged entry nozzle to the narrow face of the mold, and the sizes of vortices are reduced gradually. The rotating directions of vortices are all from high velocity area to low velocity area. Two mechanisms of vortex formation on the top surface have been suggested, i. e. , congruous shear flow and incongruous shear flow.

Descaling Behavior of 430 Hot-rolled Stainless Steel in HCl-based Solution

Descaling of hot-rolled stainless steel is generally implemented through pickling process in HNO_3-HF mixed acids,which induces severe environmental concerns of nitrogen oxide（NOx）gases and nitrites.According to the electrochemical measurement,the mass loss test and the appearance analysis,a new pickling process which employed HCl-based solution was proposed and evaluated to provide theoretical basis for the development of environment-friendly and highly effective pickling process.Under the experimental condition,the HCl-based solution can compete with ordinary HNO_3-HF mixed acids in terms of pickling efficiency,surface integrity and the removal of Crdepleted layer.The descaling process of 430hot-rolled stainless steel in the HCl-based solution consisted of three steps.The descaling solution penetrated the oxide scales into the underlying metal,dissolving the Cr-depleted layer and part of substrates.The oxide scales peeled off from the stainless steel and a polished and smooth surface was exposed.The descaled stainless steel was dissolved uniformly in the HCl-based solution;therefore,the pickling duration was vital for desired surface integrity.Under the static condition,the appropriate descaling time of 430 hotrolled stainless steel in HCl-based solution was 400 s.

Effect of Mg Addition on Nucleation of Intra-granular Acicular Ferrite in Al-killed Low Carbon Steel

To verify the formation behaviors and mechanisms of intra-granular acicular ferrite（ IAF） grains nucleated by Mg-Al-O in low carbon steel,the steels containing different Mg contents were refined in a vacuum induction furnace. The effect of Mg addition on the formation of IAF structure in Al-killed low carbon steel was investigated by optical microscope（ OM） and scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope（ SEM-EDX）. It reveals that the IAFs are only detected in Mg-added steels,and the volume fraction of IAF increases with the Mg concentration from 8 × 10^（-6） to 26 × 10^（-6）. It shows that not only the MgO-Al_2O_3-MnS and MgO-Al_2O_3-P_2O_5 particles are the effective nucleation sites for IAF,but also the pure MgO·Al_2O_3 phase can promote the ferrite nucleation. A Mn-depletion zone（ MDZ） is characterized adjacent to the MgO-Al_2O_3-MnS,which is believed to be one of the possible mechanisms to explain the IAF nucleation. The MDZ around the MgO-Al_2O_3-MnS inclusion would be induced by the Mn S precipitation on the inclusion. It seems that the ability of Mg-containing inclusions to induce the nucleation of ferrite might be attributed to a new mechanism,i. e.,the Prich zone formed on a few Mg-Al-O inclusions might be another factor for promoting the IAF formation.

Effect of casting speed on dendrite arm spacing of Mn13 steel continuous casting slab

The dendrite arm spacing in the continuous casting slab of Mn13 steel under different casting speeds was measured using the metallographic microscope. Meanwhile, a heat transfer model was established by the Pro-cast software. The relationship between the dendrite arm spacing and casting speed in continuous casting slab of Mn13 steel was studied and described by a function expression. The results provide an important theoretical basis for the development and optimization of con-tinuous casting production process of high-manganese steel and help to improve the quality of continuous casting slab of high-manganese steel. Under the experimental conditions, the suitable casting speed is about 0.9 m/min. The secondary dendrite spacing maintains a relatively stable low-amplitude increase trend, and it is beneficial to obtain a higher proportion of equiaxed crystals.

Corrosion Behavior of S450EW Low-alloy Weathering Steel in Cyclically Alternate Corrosion Environments

Weathering steel is widely used in various fields due to its excellent mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance. The effect of chromium content on the S450 EW weathering steel in cyclic immersion test was studied. The results indicated that the corrosion resistance of S450 EW weathering steel is closely related to chromium content. The addition of chromium significantly inhibited the weathering steel corrosion. The corrosion rate of experimental steel after 96 h immersion was 1.101 g·m-2·h-1. The rust of S450 EW weathering steel was mainly constituted of Fe OOH and Fe3O4 phase, and the elevation of chromium content promoted the formation of α-Fe OOH. The fine precipitates of the two phases contributed to the formation of dense dust layer of test steel. Furthermore, the increase of chromium is beneficial for the cure of original defects and cracks of the rust layer via the enrichment of chromium. The corrosion potential and the resistance of corrosion process were thus increased, protecting the experimental steel from further corrosion. A S450 EW steel with corrosion resistance more than 1.5 times of Q450NQR1 steel was prepared.

Effects of Different Oxidants on HCl-based Pickling Process of 430 Stainless Steel

To shorten the time required for the pickling process and to enhance the quality of ferritic stainless steel plates,the effects of oxidants including hydrogen peroxide（H2O2）,potassium permanganate（KMnO4）,and potassium chlorate（KClO3）on the pickling behavior in HCl-based electrolyte as well as the surface quality of hot-rolled and blasted 430 stainless steel（430-SS）were studied.Experiments were conducted using mass-loss tests,microstructure analyses,potentiodynamic polarization curves,and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements.The results showed that the addition of oxidants substantially accelerated the pickling process of 430-SS by enhancing the cathodic reaction rate and reducing the charge transfer resistance.In electrolytes comprising 5-8mass% HCl at a temperature of 40-60 ℃ and at the same concentration within the range from 0to 2mass%,H2O2 was demonstrated to be superior to KMnO4 and KClO3in accelerating the pickling process.The surface quality of 430-SS pickled in the presence of H2O2 was better than those of specimens pickled in the presence of KMnO4 and KClO3 when the removal of the oxide layer,intergranular corrosion,and surface roughness were collectively considered.When 1mass% H2O2 was added,the mass loss rate of 430-SS was increased by 629%and no residual oxide layer or intergranular corrosion was observed on the surface of the steel;in addition,the roughness was only 1.7μm.H2O2 was determined to be a better oxidant than KMnO4 and KClO3 when the pickling process,surface quality,solution recycling,and environment protection were considered as a whole.

Structural behavior of F-in mould flux melt of CaO-SiO2-Al2 O3-Na2O-CaF2 system

The influence of fluorine on the structure of CaO Si（）e-Al2Oa Na2O-CaF2 continuous-casting-type slag was measured by Raman spectroscopy, and the degree of polymerization of mould flux and the structural behavior of F- in the melt were investigated by classifying and quantifying the structural species of F ions. The results exhibit that the main structural units of Si O tetrahedra are Q1, Q1 and Q2, and the actual measured number of non bridging oxygen ions in the [SiO4 ]-tetrahedra （denoted by NBO/T） in creases from 2. 73 to 3.44 with increasing the molar ratio of F to （F＋O） （denoted by XF/X（F-O ） from 0.06 to 0. 19. It means that the degree of polymerization o1 meh structure decreases with an increase in XE/X（F＋O）. In addition, most of F- ions were distributed in Si-O tetrahedra and Al-O tetrahedra. With increasing XF/X（F＋O）, the complex structural units Al-Otetrahedra are gradually replaced hy discrete structural units A1F4 because of the breakage of Al-O bonds in Al-Otetrahedra by F ions, and the SiO （bridging oxygen） bonds of SiO tetrahedra are broken to form [SiOnF1-n]-tetrahedra by F ions coordinating with Si4 ＋ .