Removal of MnS inclusions in molten steel using electropulsing

Abstract

A method using electropulsing to separate inclusions from molten steel is developed, based on the differences in electrical properties between the inclusions and liquid metal. The inclusions have different electrical resistivity from that of the liquid steel and hence being expelled to the surface of the metal by electropulsing. In comparison with the as-solidified untreated steel, the size of the inclusion is significantly larger at the surface of the molten steel due to the enhanced agglomeration. Moreover, the technique is efficient in eliminating particles smaller than 20 µm.

Oriented sulphides induced by electric current in medium carbon steel

“…Here, the electrical conductivity of the MnS is 10 3 smaller than that of the steel [5]. In order to reduce the electric resistance of the system, MnS inclusions are re-configured leaving the system with a high electrical conductivity.…”

The effect of electropulsing on the interlamellar spacing and mechanical properties of a hot-rolled 0.14% carbon steel

“…It has been reported that the application of electropulsing could affect precipitation behaviour of precipitated phase in solid state metal [1], thermodynamics and dynamical condition of carbide precipitation [2], the microstructure evolution of solid state metallic materials [3,4], the strength of the diffusing capacity of carbon atom [5], the nucleation potential barrier and nucleation rate of graphite [6]. It has been also reported that electropulsing has the capacity to induce new phase and new microstructure formations [7], and to remove inclusions in molten steel [8]. It is believed that the application of electropulsing accelerates solid-state phase transformations in many systems.…”

Electric current-driven migration of electrically neutral particles in liquids

“…Mould fluxes are the powders that are fed onto the top of the molten metal surface to absorb particles from the liquid. 16 Detailed experimental procedures are similar to that reported in reference [10].…”

“…Here, pulsed electric current, [10][11][12][13][14] as an instantaneous high energy input method with high efficiency and low energy consumption, is applied to the molten steel containing the MnS inclusions 15 to manipulate the transport of electrically neutral non-metallic inclusions in a conductive liquid. The steel containing inclusions is selected for study due to the particles' 3 position driven by electric current can be recorded in the cooled cast steel.…”