An Improved Inclusions Modification Strategy Through Barium-Alloyed Cored Wire Injection in Steel Refining.

Non-metallic inclusions are pivotal in shaping steel's fatigue, impact, and tensile properties, highlighting the need to manage them effectively in steel production. Enhancing steel quality is a top priority in the industry, driving innovations in inclusion removal and modification. The choice of deoxidizers and modifiers for inclusions is a crucial aspect of this endeavour. Current industry practice predominantly employs calcium treatment for steel, utilizing various calcium alloys. However, traditional calcium alloys exhibit inconsistent results due to their high reactivity and low recovery rates. To address these issues, this study explores the application of barium-bearing alloys, specifically calcium barium silicon (CaSiBa), as an alternative inclusion modifier. Barium has the unique ability to reduce the vapour pressure of calcium while increasing its solubility in steel, thereby enhancing calcium recovery and its effectiveness in inclusion modification. A comprehensive approach involving trials with CaSiBa cored wire, metallographic and mechanical evaluations was undertaken. The results demonstrated a remarkable improvement in calcium recovery, cleaner steel with better mechanical properties. The findings suggest that the use of CaSiBa cored wire can significantly enhance steel quality, making it a promising advancement in steelmaking technology, leading to higher-quality steel products with enhanced mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]