自耗电极冶金质量对G20CrNi2Mo轴承钢电渣锭洁净度的影响

研究了G20CrNi2Mo轴承钢电渣重熔过程自耗电极对电渣锭洁净度的影响。结果表明,电渣锭洁净度与自耗电极的冶金质量有较大的相关性。随着自耗电极氧含量的升高,电渣锭氧含量呈升高趋势。通过扫描电镜-能谱仪分析发现,氧含量较高的自耗电极中低熔点CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃夹杂物数量比低氧含量自耗电极的要多。由于低熔点夹杂物与钢液的界面能较低,限制了其在电渣重熔过程中的去除效率,从而导致电渣锭氧含量较高。通过电弧炉出钢高拉碳操作,氧含量低于0. 002 0%的锭子数量占到总量的90%以上。     

Effect of Al antioxidant in MgO–C refractory on the formation of Al2O3-rich inclusions in high-carbon steel for saw wire under vacuum conditions

Al₂O₃-rich (>70?wt-%) inclusions generally hard and non-deformable are extremely detrimental for saw wire. In order to explore the source of this type of inclusion and provide solutions, experiments on the interaction between Al-containing MgO–C refractory and high-carbon steel for saw wire was conducted on a laboratorial scale using a cold crucible levitation melting furnace under vacuum conditions. [Al]_S (acid-soluble Al), [C] and [Mg] concentrations in steel, Al₂O₃ concentration in inclusions and microstructure of refractory/steel interface, etc. were analysed to clarify the influence of vacuum pressure, refractory addition amount and interaction time. Based on the experimental results and thermodynamic calculations, a presumable impact mechanism of Al antioxidant in MgO–C refractory on the formation of Al₂O₃-rich inclusions in high-carbon steel for saw wire under vacuum conditions was deduced, which in turn provided a reference for the control of Al₂O₃-rich inclusions in high-carbon steel for saw wire.     

VIM-ESR-VAR三联冶炼工艺对9Cr18Mo轴承钢洁净度的影响

试验9Cr18Mo轴承钢(/%:0.98C,0.21Si,0.32Mn,0.005P,＜0.001S,16.95Cr,0.51Mo)经500 kg真空感应炉(VIM)-电渣重熔(ESR)-真空自耗重熔(VAR)三联工艺冶炼,锻造开坯并轧成Φ30 mm棒材。试验和分析了9Cr18Mo钢中的气体、有害元素的含量和非金属夹杂物。结果表明,三联工艺是提高轴承钢洁净度的有效方法,试验9Cr18Mo钢中氧含量0.0008%,氮含量0.0038%,硫含量＜0.001%,通过控制原材料的Ti和五害元素含量,成品材中Ti＜0.002%,Sn,As和Sb分别＜0.002%,Pb和Bi分别＜0.000 1%;三联工艺钢中非金属夹杂物数量少,90%以上的夹杂物尺寸小于3μm,达到了很高的洁净度水平。     

铁路货车用真空精炼渗碳轴承钢的开发和应用

开发ＥＡＦ＋ＬＦＶ真空精炼冶金新工艺生产了高质量的铁路货车用渗碳轴承钢Ｇ２０ＣｒＮｉ２ＭｏＡ，其冶金质量及接触疲劳寿命等指标均达到了电渣重熔钢的水平。     

Effect on cleanliness of molten steel with different refining slag systems for low alloy ship plate

To study the effect of refining slag on the compositions of molten steel and inclusions, the reaction between ship plate steel and different slag systems (slag A-CaO/Al₂O₃: 1.0, SiO₂: 5 mass-% and slag B-CaO/Al₂O₃: 1.5, SiO₂: 9 mass-%) was investigated by laboratory-scale high-temperature equilibrium experiments. Results showed that the desulphurisation capacity of the two slags was very similar, and the average sulphur content for both was 0.002?mass-% in steel, but the deoxidation capacity of slag B was slightly higher than slag A. The amount of inclusions <5?μm was more in steel balanced with slag B than in that balanced with slag A. To generate inclusions smaller than 5?μm, and spherical liquid CaO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ inclusions, and to decrease the T[O] (total oxygen) content in steel, refining slag composition should be: CaO/Al₂O₃ ～ 1.5, and SiO₂ ～ 9?mass-%. Slag system optimisation can reduce or even eliminate calcium treatment during production. T[O] content in the slab could be controlled to 15–21?ppm, with typical micro-inclusions of ≤10?μm, and CaO–Al₂O₃–MgO and CaO–Al₂O₃–CaS systems in molten steel.     

Effect of Slag on Inclusions During Electroslag Remelting Process of Die Steel

Many factors influence the non-metallic inclusions in electroslag steel including furnace atmosphere and inclusions’ content in the consumable electrode, slag amount and its composition, power input, melting rate, filling ratio, and so on. Fluoride containing slag, which influences the non-metallic inclusions to a great extent, has been widely used for the electroslag remelting process. The current paper focuses on the effect of fluoride containing slag on the inclusions in electroslag ingots based on the interaction of the slag-metal interface and electroslag remelting process. In this work, die steel of CR-5A and several slags have been employed for investigating the effect of slag on inclusions in an electrical resistance furnace under argon atmosphere in order to eliminate the effect of ambient oxygen. Specimens were taken at different times for analyzing the content, dimensions, and type of non-metallic inclusions. Results of quantitative metallographic analysis indicate that a multi-component slag has better capacity for controlling the amount of inclusions; especially protective gas atmosphere has also been adopted. The findings of inclusions in electroslag steel by SEM–EDS analysis reveal that most non-metallic inclusions in electroslag steel are MgO-Al₂O₃ inclusions for multi-component slags, but it is Al₂O₃ inclusions when remelting using conventional 70 wt pct CaF₂-30 wt pct Al₂O₃ slag. The maximal inclusions’ size using multi-component slags is less than that using conventional binary slag. Small filling ratio as well as protective gas atmosphere is favorable for controlling the non-metallic inclusions in electroslag steel. All the results obtained will be compared to the original state inclusions in steel, which contribute to choice of slag for electroslag remelting.     

Assessment of Oxygen Control and Its Effect on Inclusion Characteristics during Electroslag Remelting of Die Steel

Deoxidation during electroslag remelting of S136 die steel was experimentally studied. The characteristics of inclusions in the electrode and ESR ingots were determined by image analyzer and SEM‐EDS. The results show that the oxygen content can be reduced from 89 ppm in the electrode to the lowest (12 ppm) in the ingot only when protective Ar gas remelting in combination with specially designed slag deoxidation treatment were employed simultaneously. The proportion of the oxygen combined as oxide inclusions increases with decreasing the total oxygen content in ESR ingot. The original inclusions in the electrode are mainly large (Mn,Cr)S and the large inclusions in the form of Al₂O₃ core surrounded by an outer sulfide layer, besides a few pure Al₂O₃ inclusions. After ESR process, while only pure Al₂O₃ inclusions with the size of about 1 µm were observed in ESR ingots. The large inclusions in the electrode were removed during ESR process. With higher oxygen content in the ingot, the contents of inclusions and large inclusions would be relatively higher. The results from industrial experiments have confirmed the availability of the present oxygen control technique. The mechanisms of oxygen behavior and control as well as inclusion evolution during ESR process were proposed based on experimental results along with thermodynamic analysis.     

Characteristics analysis of inclusion of 60Si2Mn–Cr spring steel via experiments and thermodynamic calculations

A plant trial of the production of 60Si2Mn–Cr spring steel using silicon–manganese combined with aluminium to deoxidise was performed, and the characteristics of inclusions during ladle furnace refining, calcium treatment and in billets were investigated by scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive spectroscopy and thermodynamic calculations. The formation mechanisms of oxide and CaS inclusions are discussed. The experimental observation and thermodynamic analysis showed that calcium treatment cannot entirely modify large-size MgO·Al₂O₃ spinel inclusions into homogeneous CaO–MgO–Al₂O₃ inclusions, but formed a liquid xCaO·yAl₂O₃ layer on its surface. When the Al content was 0.05 mass%, [Mg], [Ca] and [O] in molten steel could be controlled at 2.7～5 ppm, 2.5～8 ppm and 4.1～5.2 ppm, respectively, to achieve inclusions in the low melting point region. A large amount of CaS was generated in the present process due to a higher sulphur concentration in the molten steel and an excessive amount of Ca–Si wire. To avoid/reduce its formation, the sulphur concentration should be controlled to below 70 ppm.     

Effects of Reoxidation of Liquid Steel and Slag Composition on the Chemistry Evolution of Inclusions During Electroslag Remelting

Electroslag remelting (ESR) is increasingly used to produce some varieties of special steels and alloys, mainly because of its ability to provide extreme cleanliness and an excellent solidification structure simultaneously. In the present study, the combined effects of varying SiO₂ contents in slag and reoxidation of liquid steel on the chemistry evolution of inclusions and the alloying element content in steel during ESR were investigated. The inclusions in the steel before ESR refining were found to be oxysulfides of patch-type (Ca,Mn)S adhering to a CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-MgO inclusion. The oxide inclusions in both the liquid metal pool and remelted ingots are CaO-Al₂O₃-MgO and MgAl₂O₄ together with CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-MgO inclusions (slightly less than 30 pct of the total inclusions), which were confirmed to originate from the reduction of SiO₂ from the original oxide inclusions by dissolved Al in liquid steel during ESR. CaO-Al₂O₃-MgO and MgAl₂O₄ are newly formed inclusions resulting from the reactions taking place inside liquid steel in the liquid metal pool caused by reoxidation of liquid steel during ESR. Increasing the SiO₂ content in slag not only considerably reduced aluminum pickup in parallel with silicon loss during ESR, but also suppressed the decrease in SiO₂ content in oxide inclusions. (Ca,Mn)S inclusions were fully removed before liquid metal droplets collected in the liquid metal pool.     

Control of MgO·Al2O3 Spinel Inclusions during Protective Gas Electroslag Remelting of Die Steel

The effect of calcium treatment and/or aluminum-based deoxidant addition on the oxygen control and modification of MgO·Al₂O₃ spinel inclusions during protective gas electroslag remelting (P-ESR) of H13 die steel with low oxygen content was experimentally studied. It is found that all the inclusions in the consumable electrode are MgO·Al₂O₃ spinels, besides a few MgO·Al₂O₃ spinels surrounded by an outer (Ti,V)N or MnS layer. After P-ESR refining combined with proper calcium treatment, all the original MgO·Al₂O₃ spinels in the electrode (except for the original MgO·Al₂O₃ spinels having been removed in the P-ESR process) were modified to mainly CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃ and some CaO-Al₂O₃ inclusions, both of which have a low melting point and homogeneous compositions. In the case of only Al-based deoxidant addition, all the oxide inclusions remaining in ESR ingots are MgO·Al₂O₃ spinels. The operation of Al-based deoxidant addition and/or calcium treatment during P-ESR of electrode steel containing low oxygen content is invalid to further reduce the oxygen content and oxide inclusions amount compared with remelting only under protective gas atmosphere. All the original sulfide inclusions were removed after the P-ESR process. Most of the inclusions in ESR ingots are about 2 μm in size. The mechanisms of non-metallic inclusions evolution and modification of MgO·Al₂O₃ spinels by calcium treatment during the P-ESR process were proposed.     

Evolution of CaO–MgO–Al2O3–CaS–(SiO2) inclusions in H13 die steel during electroslag remelting process

The effect of Al–Mg alloy addition on the cleanliness and CaO–MgO–Al₂O₃–CaS–(SiO₂) inclusions during electroslag remelting of H13 die steel with low oxygen content was investigated by experimental study and thermodynamic calculation. The results show that the oxygen content of consumable electrode (15?×?10^?6) was invalid to be reduced after Al–Mg alloy addition during protective gas electroslag remelting (P-ESR) process. In the case of Al–Mg alloy addition during P-ESR process, the oxygen content pick-up and silicon loss of remelted ingot were avoided, and sulphur content was further decreased. CaS content of complex inclusions were decreased significantly after P-ESR process. The type of inclusions was not changed during P-ESR process with Al–Mg alloy addition, except the increase in the concentrations of CaS in individual inclusion. The original oxide inclusions inconsumable electrode transformed to liquid state during P-ESR, and original CaS inclusions were eliminated. The CaS portion in CaS-bearing complex inclusions is the inclusion that formed on the surface of oxide inclusion during the cooling of liquid steel process in liquid metal pool.     

Refractory/steel/inclusion interactions in Al-deoxidised valve spring steel treated with Na2CO3

Ca treatment is generally used in the production of Al-deoxidised steel to prevent nozzle blockage by modifying high melting point inclusions such as MgO·Al₂O₃ (Melting point: 2408?K). However, the successful application of Ca treatment can be quite difficult due to the requirements for stringent control of the amount of calcium that is added. In the present paper, a novel and effective method of inclusion modification by Na₂CO₃ treatment is developed and the evolution process of inclusions in Al-deoxidised steel with Na₂CO₃ treated is studied, which is in good agreement with FactSage calculation results. In addition, the relevant refractory/steel/inclusion interaction mechanisms are also discussed. The experimental results show that MgO–Al₂O₃ inclusions can be transformed into Na₂O–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ inclusions with low-melting points by Na₂CO₃ treatment. After Na₂CO₃ addition, both the dissolved [Na] and [Si] start to reduce MgO and Al₂O₃ in the generated MgO–Al₂O₃ inclusions from outside to inside, accompanied with the reduction of MgO–Al₂O₃ reaction layer at the steel-refractory interface by [Na] and [Si] in the steel.     

惰性气体保护5 t电渣炉重熔铁路用G20CrNi2MoA渗碳轴承钢

试验和分析了全封闭气罩氩气保护电渣重熔与常规大气下电渣重熔铁路用G20CrNi2MoA渗碳轴承钢(/%:0.19C、0.49Cr、1.75Ni、0.23Mo、0.071Al)的冶金效果。结果表明,氩气保护电渣重熔锭Si和Mn的烧损量(3%～12%和4%～10%)低于常规电渣重熔锭Si和Mn的烧损量(15%～18%和7%～10%);当G20CrNi2MoA钢电极的氧含量为10×10^-6时,氩气保护电渣锭的氧含量(15×10^-6)低于常规电渣锭的氧含量(21.3×10^-6);氩气保护电渣锭的冶金质量明显优于未经气体保护的常规电渣锭。     

不锈轴承钢真空制备过程洁净度及碳化物变化

 为了提高G102Cr18Mo高碳不锈轴承钢的洁净度、细化碳化物组织,采用真空感应熔炼、两次真空自耗重熔、大锻压比锻造的工艺路线,研究了真空处理及大锻压比锻造对化学成分、气体含量、夹杂物分布、二次枝晶间距及碳化物颗粒度的影响。研究结果表明,真空感应熔炼过程(VIM)中,随着铝含量的增加,碳的脱氧能力大幅降低,即使铝质量分数为0.003%也对碳的脱氧能力有明显的阻碍作用;真空自耗重熔过程(VAR)由于高的真空度、高的重熔温度等热力学条件以及反应动力学条件的改善,氧含量显著降低,第一次自耗重熔后氧质量分数从0.001 49%降低至0.000 57%,降低了61.7%,第二次自耗重熔后氧质量分数降低至0.000 50%。真空感应熔炼、真空自耗重熔过程,夹杂物的成分变化不大,主要以Al-Si夹杂为主,其次为Al₂O₃夹杂,再次为MnS夹杂、Mg-Al-Ca、Mg/Ca-Al夹杂。双真空冶炼后,钢中夹杂物主要为0～5 μm的细小夹杂物,未发现大于20 μm的夹杂,含有少量10～20 μm的夹杂,钢的洁净度大幅度提高。在真空自耗锭横断面上,从边部向芯部二次枝晶的形貌变化不大,二次枝晶间距逐渐增大,但是变化趋势缓慢,二次枝晶间距为85～95 μm,这主要得益于低的自耗重熔速度。对真空自耗锭进行大变形处理,最终锻造成40 mm的圆棒,碳化物颗粒的最大尺寸不大于20 μm,平均尺寸为15 μm,且没有碳化物聚集的现象。低的自耗重熔速度和大锻压比锻造是碳化物细化的关键。     

Simultaneous Modification of Alumina and MgO·Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Inclusions by Calcium Treatment During Electroslag Remelting of Stainless Tool Steel

Calcium modification of both alumina and MgO·Al₂O₃ inclusions during protective gas electroslag remelting (P-ESR) of 8Cr17MoV stainless steel and its effect on nitrides and primary carbides were studied by analyzing the transient evolution of oxide and sulfide inclusions in the P-ESR process. The oxide inclusions that were not removed during P-ESR without calcium treatment were found to retain their original state until in as-cast ingot. Calcium treatment modified all MgO·Al₂O₃ and alumina inclusions that had not been removed in the P-ESR process to liquid/partially liquid CaO-Al₂O₃-(MgO) with uniformly distributed elements, in addition to a small proportion of partially modified inclusions of a CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃ core surrounded by a liquid CaO-Al₂O₃. The modification of low-MgO-containing MgO·Al₂O₃ inclusions involves the preferential reduction of MgO from the MgO·Al₂O₃ inclusion by calcium and the reaction of calcium with Al₂O₃ in the inclusion. It is the incomplete/complete reduction of MgO from the spinel by calcium that contributes to the modification of spinels. Alumina inclusions were liquefied by direct reaction with calcium. Calcium treatment during P-ESR refining also provided an effective approach to prevent the formation of nitrides and primary carbides in stainless steel through modifying their preferred nucleation sites (alumina and MgO·Al₂O₃ inclusions) to calcium aluminates, which made no contribution to improving the steel cleanliness.     

Effects of FeO and CaO/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Ratio in Slag on the Cleanliness of Al-Killed Steel

The slag composition plays a critical role in the formation of inclusions and the cleanliness of steel. In this study, the effects of FeO content and the C/A (CaO/Al₂O₃) ratio in the slag on the formation of inclusions were investigated based on a 10-minute slag–steel reaction in a MgO crucible. The FeO content in the top slag was shown to have a significant effect on the formation of MgO·Al₂O₃ spinel inclusions, and critical content exists; when the initial FeO content in the slag was less than 2 pct, MgO·Al₂O₃ spinel inclusions formed, and the T.O (total oxygen) was 20 ppm; when the initial FeO content in the slag was more than 4 pct, only Al₂O₃ inclusions were observed and the T.O was 50 ppm. It was clarified that the main source of Mg for the MgO·Al₂O₃ spinel inclusion formation was the top slag rather than the MgO crucible. In addition, the cleanliness of the steel increased as the initial FeO content in the top slag decreased. As regards the effects of the C/A ratio, the MgO amount in the observed inclusions gradually increased, whereas the T.O content decreased gradually with the increasing C/A ratio. Slag with a composition close to the CaO-saturated region had the best effect on the inclusion absorption.     

Effect of the Slag Composition and a Protective Atmosphere on Chemical Reactions and Non‐Metallic Inclusions during Electro‐Slag Remelting of a Hot‐Work Tool Steel

The remelting behavior of the hot‐work tool steel X37CrMoV5‐1 is investigated with several experimental melts on a lab‐scale ESR‐plant. The investigated parameters comprise a variation of the slag compositions and the use of a protective nitrogen atmosphere. Variations of the slag composition include slags with different contents of CaF₂, CaO, and Al₂O₃ as well as a variation of the SiO₂‐content in the slag. The remelted ingots are forged and analyzed regarding their chemical composition. The distribution and composition of the non‐metallic inclusions (NMI) is studied by an automated SEM‐EDX method. Additionally, the chemical composition of the slag after remelting is analyzed. The results show clearly an equilibrium reaction between Si and Al in the steel with SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ in the slag as well as the effect of oxygen in open ESR operation. A protective atmosphere reduces the Si‐losses during remelting, but has no major effect on the number or composition of NMI compared to open remelting. The content of NMI, especially the larger ones, is reduced significantly in all remelting experiments. The majority of the NMI are MA‐spinel type except for the CaO‐free slag, where alumina inclusions prevail. In general, remelting leads to an almost complete removal of sulfides, a reduction of oxisulfides, and a slight increase of oxides.     

G20CrNi2MoA渗碳轴承钢生产工艺的探讨

针对攀长钢公司渗碳轴承钢G20CrNi2MoA采用电炉+真空处理+电渣生产试制的工艺中如何控制钢中的[O]、高倍夹杂及碳化物带状组织等问题进行了生产工艺的探讨,对该钢形成批量生产,以满足铁路用渗碳轴承钢的要求具有积极的意义。     

Influence of calcium treatment on cleanness and fatigue life of 60Si2MnA spring steel

Contrasting experiments of Al killed 60Si2MnA spring steel were carried out between using and excluding calcium treatment under LF refining slags with low and high basicity ratios (R: CaO/SiO₂?=?3.4, 5.0), respectively. Results showed the high basicity refining slag had a certain effect on controlling inclusions and improving the cleanness of spring steel similarly to calcium treatment. The T.[O] (total oxygen) content of steel without calcium treatment got to below 15?ppm and the fatigue life was long, up to 7.8?×?10⁶?cycles. But in order to reduce the T.[O] below 10?ppm, as well as inclusion number and size in spring steel further, meanwhile, the appropriate calcium treatment should still be used. Besides, as the [Ca] content in the steel with calcium treatment increased, inclusions transformed from Al₂O₃–SiO₂–CaO–MgO to Al₂O₃–SiO₂–CaO–MgO–CaS completely, which reduced the formations of voids between inclusions and steel matrix, and voids decreased with the increase of CaO/Al₂O₃ value and CaS content of inclusions. Finally, the fatigue life of spring steel with high basicity slag and calcium treatment increased to 9.1?×?10⁶ cycles.     

Formation of Inclusion in Ti–Al Killed Low C–Mn Steel

The formation of inclusion in Ti–Al complex deoxidized C–Mn steel was investigated. When Al content in steel is very low ([Al]=0.0005%), for 0.003%<[Ti]<0.007%, the inclusion is the Al₂O₃–SiO₂–MnO–TiO_x composite inclusion; for [Ti]≥0.009%, the inclusion is TiO_x in the steel. When [Ti]=0.005%, [Al]<0.001%, the inclusion is the Al₂O₃–SiO₂–MnO–TiO_x composite inclusion; while [Al]>0.006%, inclusions would be pure Al₂O₃. The experimental results agree with the thermodynamics conclusions.