Influence of cerium treatment on inclusion modification and as-cast microstructure of high-strength low-alloy steel

The effect of rare earth elements Ce and La on the evolution behavior of inclusions in HRB400E steel was studied through experimental observations and thermodynamic calculations. Neutral salt spray corrosion experiments were also conducted to investigate the effect of Ce–La on the corrosion resistance of steel. The results showed that the typical inclusions in steel without rare earth were MnS and MnO–SiO2. A small amount of Mn–Si–O–S inclusions was also observed. After adding rare earth, the typical inclusions were transformed into isolated (Ce,La)2O2S, (Ce,La)2O3 + MnS, and (Ce,La)2O2S + MnS complex inclusions. The thermodynamic calculations indicated that the rare earth elements in molten steel preferentially reacted with MnO–SiO2 inclusions and dissolved oxygen and sulfur to form (Ce,La)2O3 and (Ce,La)2O2S. Small amounts of [S] and [Mn] adhered to the surface of the nucleated rare earth inclusions to form complex inclusions. After Ce–La treatment, the corrosion rate of the steel decreased from 3.491 to 1.992 mm year−1, and the corrosion resistance was improved. The change in corrosion behavior is due to the modification of the inclusions into rare earth inclusions with good compatibility with the steel matrix.

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“…Related first‐order interaction parameters used in this calculation have been listed in Table 3. [ 27,29,30 ]…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of rare earth on inclusion evolution and corrosion resistance of HRB400E steel

Huang

Geng

et al. 2022

Materials & Corrosion

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“…[ 12 ] Several studies have already investigated and described the modification of, for example, alumina inclusions by La [ 16,17 ] and Ce. [ 18,19 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[ 16 ] However, REs modify preexisting deoxidation products and, thus, influence the morphologies, properties, and behaviors of these particles. [ 17–20 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[12] Several studies have already investigated and described the modification of, for example, alumina inclusions by La [16,17] and Ce. [18,19] Using automated scanning electron microscopy with energydispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), RE-containing inclusions can easily be relocated since these particles appear brighter, due to their higher atomic numbers than the surrounding steel matrix. [16] However, REs modify preexisting deoxidation products and, thus, influence the morphologies, properties, and behaviors of these particles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[16] However, REs modify preexisting deoxidation products and, thus, influence the morphologies, properties, and behaviors of these particles. [17][18][19][20] Different approaches are necessary for characterizing nonmetallic inclusions, as a single technique cannot be used to identify all parameters. The reviews of Kaushik et al [21] and Zhang et al [22] describe direct and indirect characterization methods.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Optimization of the Two‐ and Three‐Dimensional Characterization of Rare Earth‐Traced Deoxidation Products

et al. 2023

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Tracing by means of the light rare earths (REs), particularly La and Ce, is a state‐of‐the‐art method used to track deoxidation products during the steelmaking process. Traced heterogeneous multiphase inclusions are analyzed using scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) to perform a 2D characterization. The sequential chemical extraction technique is implemented for a 3D investigation to determine traced particles’ actual sizes and shapes. The automated SEM/EDS measurement must be optimized since RE oxides appear brighter in the backscattered electron images due to their high atomic numbers. Therefore, two grayscales are implemented for the detection of RE‐containing multiphase inclusions. Within this technique, individual RE‐traced heterogeneous nonmetallic inclusions (NMIs) are counted as separate particles. Thus, the measured NMIs must be recombined, which is achieved using a self‐developed MATLAB tool. The extracted particles are also analyzed by automated and manual SEM/EDS measurements to determine the 3D morphologies and sizes of traced NMIs.

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Revealing the Role of Cerium on Precipitation Behavior of In Situ TiC Particles and Wear Resistance of High‐Titanium Wear‐Resistant Steels

Zhou

Deng

Wang

et al. 2023

steel research int.

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Compared to conventional martensitic wear‐resistant steels of the same hardness, high‐titanium wear‐resistant steels with in situ TiC particles can significantly improve wear resistance. However, micron‐sized TiC particles will decrease the toughness of high‐titanium wear‐resistant steels. Here, in order to improve wear resistance without reducing impact toughness, we incorporate 0.0025% cerium elements into high‐titanium wear‐resistant steels. Compared with no cerium steel, the steel containing cerium is demonstrating comparable mechanical properties, with the yield strength of 1283 MPa and impact toughness of 35.6 J, and the wear performance of the steel containing cerium is 1.78 times that of the steel with no cerium. The results show that with the addition of cerium the effective grain size of the steel decreases, and yield strength and toughness increase. The addition of cerium can form intermetallic compounds of Ce2O2S, which are used as heterogeneous nuclear particles in TiC to form rare earth composite particles calculated by the 2D mismatch theoretical model of Bramfitt. As the average spacing of the reinforcing phase particles in the steel decreases, the effective grain size of the steel decreases, and the number of reinforcing phase particles increases, the wear resistance of the steel with the addition of cerium is optimized.

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Influence of cerium treatment on inclusion modification and as-cast microstructure of high-strength low-alloy steel

Cited by 29 publications

References 27 publications

Effect of rare earth on inclusion evolution and corrosion resistance of HRB400E steel

Effect of rare earth on inclusion evolution and corrosion resistance of HRB400E steel

Optimization of the Two‐ and Three‐Dimensional Characterization of Rare Earth‐Traced Deoxidation Products

Revealing the Role of Cerium on Precipitation Behavior of In Situ TiC Particles and Wear Resistance of High‐Titanium Wear‐Resistant Steels

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