As the requirements on material properties increase, there has been a demand on an additional knowledge on the effect of impurities in the ferroalloys on the properties. Thus, the number, morphology, size, and composition of inclusions in four different ferroalloys (FeTi, FeNb, FeSi, and SiMn) were investigated. This was done in three dimensions (3D) by using scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy dispersive spectroscopy after electrolytic extraction of the ferroalloy samples. The non‐metallic and metallic inclusions were successfully analyzed on the surface of film filter. Thereafter, the particle size distribution was plotted for most of the non‐metallic inclusions. The non‐metallic inclusions were found to be REM oxides in FeTi, FeSi, and SiMn, Al2O3, Ti–Nb–S–O oxides in FeNb and silicon oxides in SiMn. Moreover, the intermetallic inclusions were found to be a Ti–Fe phase in FeTi, Ca–Si, and Fe–Si–Ti phases in FeSi and a Mn–Si phase in SiMn. In addition, the almost pure single metallic phases were found to be Ti in FeTi, Nb in FeNb, and Si in FeSi.
It is known that clusters in liquid steel have a harmful effect on the casting process and the quality of the final steel product. In this study, clusters of rare earth metals (REM) were investigated in steel samples of a S30185 stainless steel grade from a pilot trial (PT, 250 kg) and from an industrial heat (IH, 100 t). Samples were taken from the liquid steel at different holding times after the addition of mischmetal. Thereafter, REM clusters collected on film filters after electrolytic extraction and filtration were investigated in three dimensions (3D) by SEM in combination with EDS. The morphology, composition, number and size of clusters in PT and IH steel samples were analyzed and compared as a function of holding time. It was found that typical clusters with regular and irregular inclusions were the main type of clusters (69%-98%) in all PT and IH steel samples. The composition of inclusions in clusters corresponded mostly to REM-oxides. The size of clusters that were observed in different samples varied mainly from 2 to 23 μm. In addition, the size and number of most clusters in PT are larger than those in IH samples. Furthermore, the formation mechanisms and evolution of different type of REM clusters were discussed in both PT and IH heats.
Ferrochromium alloys are commonly added during different stages of steelmaking processes according to the specific steel grade being produced. Depending upon the ferrochromium quality, the addition can also lead to a supply of deleterious inclusions to the liquid steel. Therefore, the number, size, morphology and composition of inclusions in LCFeCr and HCFeCr alloys were investigated. The alloy samples were first treated with electrolytic extraction, followed by filtration to gather the inclusions on a film filter. Thereafter, the characteristics of the inclusions and clusters were investigated in three dimensions by SEM in combination with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results show that the main inclusion types found in LCFeCr alloys are different to those found in HCFeCr alloys. More specifically, the inclusions in LCFeCr alloys were found to consist of Si-Cr-O and Cr-O oxides as well as intermetallic Cr-Fe inclusions. Moreover, the inclusions in HCFeCr alloys were found to consist of Cr-Mn-S, Cr-C-N, Si-Al-Ca-Mg-O and Ca-O-P inclusions. Overall, the inclusions can be divided into two categories depending on the melting point. Furthermore, the possible transformation of different inclusions after their addition to the liquid steel is discussed.
The inclusions and clusters in steel samples of two similar steel grades of high-silicon non-calcium treated (HSiNC) stainless steels were investigated and compared during ladle treatment and continuous casting. Samples of liquid steel and slag were taken at different stages of the ladle treatment and casting during two plant trials: Low Al steel (LAl) and High Al steel (HAl). After electrolytic extraction of the steel samples, characteristics of inclusions and clusters (such as morphology, composition, size and number) were investigated in three dimensions (3D) by SEM in combination with EDS. Moreover, the composition of typical inclusions and clusters was analyzed on a polished cross section of steel samples. Spherical (SP), irregular and regular (IR) inclusions and clusters (CL) were observed in the samples from both heats. It was found that the morphology and composition of inclusions and clusters in both heats were significantly changed during the ladle treatment and casting. Most of inclusions (44-98%) in a Low Al steel are MgO-CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 spherical inclusions. The compositions of IR inclusions and clusters in steel samples of a High Al steel were mostly MgO·Al2O3 spinel, but also the complex SP inclusions containing Al2O3-MgO-CaO-SiO2. In addition, phase stability diagram based on Darken's quadratic formalism and Redlich-Kister type polynomial was estimated for both heats at a non-infinite solution.
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