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Ferroalloys are one of the most important raw materials widely used in the steelmaking processes. Depending on the cleanliness of used ferroalloys, they can be an inevitable source of impurities and nonmetallic inclusions (NMIs) in steelmaking products. Herein, the inclusions in five different industrial ferroalloys (FeTi, FeMo, FeW, MnN, and FeCrN) are investigated. This is done using 2D investigations on polished cross sections of ferroalloy samples and using 3D investigations of NMIs on film filters and metal surfaces after electrolytic extraction (EE) using scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS). Moreover, the characteristics of the main types of inclusions presented on film filters and metal surfaces after EE are compared and their possible transformations in Al‐killed steel are evaluated. The results show that the main inclusions are more likely the oxidization products of the reductant and some unreduced ore during the ferroalloy production process. The 3D investigations of inclusions on metal surfaces after extraction are found to be very useful in detection and evaluation of larger‐sized inclusions. Overall, this study helps to better understand the impurities in different ferroalloys and their possible effect on the steel cleanliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that inclusions affect the properties of alloys. Therefore, the importance of understanding what inclusions exist and how they behave cannot be overstated. This study has examined the behavior of Al2O3-MgO particles and clusters in the melt during the ladle treatment of Alloy 825, who is a Ni-based Alloy. The effect of different stirring directions of electromagnetic stirring in combination with gas stirring is discussed based on three-dimensional investigations of the clustered particles. More specifically, the composition, size, and number of particles and clusters are determined after electrolytic extraction of metal samples by using SEM in combination with EDS. The results show that the agglomeration of Al2O3-MgO particles in the melt is faster for an upward induction stirring combined with a gas stirring in comparison to a downward stirring combined with a gas stirring. However, the total removal of clusters from the melt is more effective when using a downward induction stirring compared to when using an upward induction stirring, especially for large size clusters (>11.2 μm). The effect of the different stirring modes on the behavior of the Al2O3-MgO particles and clusters in the melt for the ladle treatment experiments agree with the theoretical predictions based on Stokes', Brownian, and Turbulent collisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of different stirring conditions during ladle treatment on the steel cleanliness was studied in the steel plant of SSAB Special Steels in Oxelösund, Sweden. The cleanliness was examined with regards to the contents of sulfur, nitrogen, and large inclusion (>10mm). The results showed that vacuum degassing increased the amount of inclusions larger than 10 mm and that subsequent induction stirring suggested a possible positive effect on the inclusion removal. A shortening of the vacuum degassing time from 24 to 15 min did not affect the nitrogen or sulphur refining. Overall, all heats reached the desired composition and cleanliness levels regardless of the treatment time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the preceding work, the inclusion behavior in a submerged entry nozzle (SEN) and mold induced by using a swirl flow has been investigated. The results showed that a swirl flow can effectively promote the inclusions removal to the meniscus as well as reduce the inclusions entrapment at the solidified shell wall. Moreover, that the swirl flow was generated by using a full type electromagnetic swirl flow generator (EMSFG). In the present work, a kind of a half type EMSFG was investigated, since it is easier to implement in a production scale. The influence of the stirrer on the fluid flow, heat transfer, and inclusion behavior in the SEN and mold was studied. Furthermore, a comparison between these two types of EMSFG from the aspects of flow field, temperature field, and inclusion behavior was done. In addition, the effect of different magnetomotive forces, inclusion sizes, densities as well as boundary conditions on the inclusion behavior was studied. The results show that the effect of a half type EMSFG (88000 AT) on the molten steel is very close to a full type case (44000 AT). More specifically, the flow pattern, temperature distribution as well as inclusion behavior in the SEN and mold look very similar. Also, it was found that from the viewpoints of the inclusions separation to the mold meniscus and the inclusions trapping at the solidified shell wall, better results could be obtained for a 'Trap' boundary condition when using half type EMSFGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clusters of Al2O3 inclusions in a liquid stainless steel (18/8) and in a clogged ZrO2 nozzle after casting were studied during a pilot plant trial. Samples were taken from the melt at different holding times after an addition of 0.1 mass% Al. The characteristics (composition, size, number, and morphology) of clusters and clustered inclusions in the steel samples and in the clogged nozzle were investigated after electrolytic extraction and etching by using SEM. It was found that the Al2O3 inclusions in the clusters are transformed from a spherical into irregular and regular (with sharp edges) shape during the holding time. Most of the inclusions in the clusters (>80%) after a 6 min holding time are regular inclusions, which have sharp edges and flat faces. The size of the inclusions in clusters in the melt increased on average from 1.0 μm at a 1 min to 5.2 μm at a 12 min holding time. While the sizes of different types of inclusions in the clogged nozzle correspond to those present in the liquid steel at respective time, the frequency of spherical inclusions in the clogged nozzle is about 2-4 times larger (particularly near the nozzle wall) compared to that in the melt. Growth and transformation of Al2O3 clusters in the liquid steel at different holding times after an addition of Al and during casting were considered based on the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The statistics of extreme values was applied for the determination of the largest sulfide inclusions with different morphology in low carbon steel samples by using both two-dimensional (2D) observations on the polished cross section and three-dimensional (3D) observations on a surface of a film filter after electrolytic extraction of the samples. It was found that the globular, rod-like and dendritic sulfides in the molten steel sample as well as the elongated sulfides in the rolled steel sample can be successfully extracted from the both samples, and analyzed precisely by using extreme value analysis in 3D. Based on the geometrical considerations of the probability for measurement of the true length of rod-like and elongated inclusions on a cross section, it was found that this probability for inclusions decreases dramatically with an increasing real aspect ratio value of them. Particularly for the determination of the true length for elongated inclusions in the rolled steel sample by 2D investigations on a metal cross section, it is required to be cut investigating section of steel sample within ± 1 degree against rolling direction. Therefore, a 3D observation is considered to be more preferable and accurate than the conventional cross sectional observation in 2D, due to the possibility for the measurements of the real size of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a complete and comprehensive analysis of non-metallic inclusions (NMI) in an Fe-10%Ni alloy was done by using two modern analytical methods that complement each other: Electrolytic Extraction (EE) of inclusions from metal samples followed by investigations by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fractional Gas Analysis (FGA). The composition, morphology, size and number of different NMIs and clusters were investigated in metal samples taken after deoxidation by additions of Ti, Ti/Zr and Ti/Mg. The obtained results were discussed with respect to formation, modification and removal of NMIs and clusters depending on the type of deoxidations and the holding time. It was found that the peaks of oxygen reduced from different oxide inclusions obtained by the FGA measurements corresponded well to the main types of inclusions and clusters observed by using the EE + SEM method. More specifically, the total O content in oxide inclusions (ONMI) increases by 10% after a Zr addition and then decreases linearly by 40% during 5 min of holding due to flotation of NMIs and clusters. However, after a Mg addition in the melt deoxidized by Ti, the ONMI content decreases drastically by 63% during 5 min of holding, due to a fast floatation of NMIs caused by bubbles of vaporized Mg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusions in steels and alloys are known to lower the resistance to deformation, as well as to lower the mechanical, corrosion and other properties. Studies of inclusions in nickel-based alloys are important since these materials could suffer from corrosion degradation in harsh operational conditions. This, in fact, could lead to a pitting initiation around the inclusions. Two industrial Ni-based alloys (alloy 718 and EP718) were investigated to determine the harmful effects of different inclusions on the corrosion resistance of Ni-based alloys. Specifically, the inclusion characteristics (such as composition, morphology, size, number and location) were determined for inclusions collected on film filters after electrolytic extraction and dissolution of a metal matrix around different inclusions on surfaces of metal samples after electrolytic extraction (EE). It was found that both Ni-based alloys contain various inclusion types: carbides (large size NbTi-C and small multicomponent carbides), nitrides TiNb-N and sulphides (TiNb-S in EP718 alloy). The most harmful effects on the corrosion resistance of metal were detected around sulphides and small carbides containing Mo, W, Cr. Dissolution effects were also observed around large carbides and nitrides, especially around inclusions larger than 10 µm. Moreover, the dissolution of a matrix around inclusions and clusters located on the grain boundaries were found to be 2.1–2.7 times larger compared to inclusions found inside of grains of the given alloy samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]