Effect of Calcium Content on Characteristics of Inclusions in an Al‐Killed Steel

Abstract

Laboratory experiments are performed to study the effect of T.Ca content in the molten steel on the composition, size, and quantity of inclusions. Different amounts of SiCa alloys are added into the molten steel to obtain samples with varied T.Ca contents. Samples are taken at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min after the calcium addition to study the transformation of inclusions with time. After the addition of calcium into the molten steel, the size of pure liquid inclusions is small which are more difficult to be removed from the molten steel than solid ones, while partially liquid inclusions are easily removed from the molten steel so that the total oxygen content of the molten steel is lower. The size of solid inclusions is large due to their large coagulation coefficient value. The number density and area fraction of liquid inclusions are larger than solid inclusions due to the higher adhesion work required for the removal of liquid inclusions. The corrosion of MgO crucible easily occurs by the dissolved calcium in the molten steel. Then, the reaction between the reduced magnesium and inclusions in the molten can occur, leading to the generation of MgO–Al2O3 and CaO–MgO–Al2O3 inclusions.