The Analysis of the Effect of Mischmetal Addition on the Formation of Non-Metallic Inclusions in Liquid Steel

Abstract

The study focuses on the effect of rare earth elements (REM) in mischmetal on the morphology and chemical composition of non-metallic inclusions in pre-oxidised steel. Calculations were carried out using the WYK_STAL computer program according to two calculation models, considering/ignoring the sulphur partition coefficient at the liquid steel-liquid slag interfacial boundary. It was found that the chemical composition of the resulting precipitates is a consequence of the order in which deoxidising additives were admixed. Simulations confirmed the presence of Ce oxides and sulphides. This was also confirmed by the analysis of samples taken from the steel ingot after laboratory melting. Non-metallic inclusions Ce2O3 and CeS, and the complex of precipitates: La2O3-Ce2O3 was also identified in the steel. Introduction of mischmetal in the final stage refining is the most effective method. Therefore, the oxygen content is reduced below 0.001%, and the sulphfur content can be reduced to 0.004%.

Keywords

• mischmetal
• steel
• non-metallic inclusions
• deoxidation