Surface Defects of Cold-Rolled Ti-IF Steel Sheets due to Non-Metallic Inclusions

Surface defects of the cold-rolled sheets of Ti-IF steel were studied and analyzed. After analyzing surface defects of cold-rolled sheets, such as shelling defects, holes and sliver defects by SEM/EDS, a variety of inclusions were found. In addition, the distribution of macro-inclusions in slabs was analyzed by MIDAS method. The results show the macroscopic inclusion bands of head slabs and normal slabs are in 1/8 slab thickness regions of both inner arc side and outer arc side. The formation process of the defects in the cold-rolled sheets was simulated with an experimental cold-rolling machine for comparison. The results show that there were three kinds of inclusions underneath the surface defects: Al2O3, SiO2 and particles from slag entrainment, which were the main reason for defect formation during cold rolling.     

Overview:Development of Clean Steel Production at Baosteel

The development of clean steel technology at Baosteel can be dated back to the first production of IF steels and pipeline steels in the early 1990s.Now the technology has gradually covered nearly the whole range of products.This progressive development is introduced in the overview including the levels of cleanliness for some steel grades at Baosteel.The technologies at different processes for the production of clean steel and the removal of some impurity elements in molten steel are also discussed.Suggestions are given on the future research and development of clean steel technology at Baosteel in the aim to keep a sustainable development,which should focus on the basic research,inclusion control and making efficient use of inclusions,as well as stable and reliable low-cost manufacturing technology,removal of harmful residual elements,and the expanding of the technology to stainless steels and special steels.     

Industrial Application of Desulfurization Using Low Basicity Refining Slag in Tire Cord Steel

Desulfurization performance with low binary basicity refining slag in 72 grade tire cord steel was calculated using FactSage and it is found that sulfur content in steel decreases with the increase of basicity of slag, MgO content in slag and slag/steel ratio while sulfur partition ratio between slag and steel increases gradually with the increase of basicity of slag as well as MgO content. Experiments were carried out and the results are of great agreements with theoretical calculation. Then industrial application tests were performed in a domestic plant and good results were achieved. Sulfur content in steel decreases gradually during refining process, as a result, sulfur content in the billets is controlled in the range of 0.007 1%-0.008 1%. Sulfur content in steel refined with slag basicity of 1.21 is lower than that of 1.02, while the plasticity of oxide compound inclusions is a little better controlled in low basicity heats. Using refining slag with basicity of 1.0-1.2 and MgO content of 5%-10% and reducing the slag takeover of LD are favorable for improving the desulfurization performance and the plasticity of inclusions during the industrial production.     

Effect of Calcium Treatment on Non-Metallic Inclusions in Ultra-Low Oxygen Steel Refined by High Basicity High Al2O3 Slag

 The influence of calcium treatment on non-metallic inclusions had been studied when control technology of refining top slag in ladle furnace was used in ultra-low oxygen steelmaking. A sufficient amount aluminium was added to experimental heats for final deoxidizing during BOF tapping, and the refining top slag with strong reducibility, high basicity and high Al2O3 in ladle furnace was used to produce ultra-low oxygen steel and the transformation of non-metallic inclusions in molten steel was compared by calcium treatment and no calcium treatment. The results show that the transformation of Al2O3→MgO·Al2O3 spinel→CaO-MgO-Al2O3 complex inclusions has been completed for aluminum deoxidation products and calcium treatment to molten steel is unnecessary when using the control technology of ladle furnace refining top slag to produce ultra-low oxygen steel, and the complex inclusions are liquid at the temperature of steelmaking and easily removable to obtain very high cleanliness steel by flotation. Furthermore, the problems of nozzle clogging in casting operations do not happen and the remaining oxide inclusions in steel are the relatively lower melting point complex inclusions.     

Inclusion Variations of Hot Working Die Steel H13 in Refining Process

 Inclusion variations of die steel H13, including changes of species, morphologies, compositions, amounts and sizes, in the production of EAF→LF→VD→ingot casting→electro-slag refining (ESR) procedure, were investigated by systematic sampling, and analyzed with scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), and metallographic microscope. The variation mechanism was studied by comprehensive analysis of total oxygen, nitrogen, and acid soluble aluminum as well as chemical test of refining slag. Based on the investigations, technical measures for cleanness improvement were discussed. The results show that oxide inclusions in H13 steel change from irregular Al2O3→near globular CaO-MgO-Al2O3 and CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 complex inclusions→finer CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 inclusions with higher CaO content→CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 inclusions with higher Al2O3 content and irregular MgO-Al2O3 inclusions→fine irregular MgO-Al2O3-CaS inclusions in various steps of the production; the variations are related with changes of acid soluble aluminum content, reactions between slag and steel, re-oxidation of liquid steel during casting, and refining of ESR. It is also found that Al2O3 inclusions are modified by refining slag in LF and VD refining; and ESR plays a good role in inclusion removal, especially in controlling the large linear VC-CrC-MoC inclusions distributed in grain boundaries. It is suggested that casting protection should be improved, and the basicity of refining slag and acid soluble aluminum content in steel should be raised.     

Characteristics and Metallurgical Effects of Medium Basicity Refining Slag on Low Melting Temperature Inclusions

Recently,large sized CaO-Al2O3 inclusions with low melting temperature have been the main reason for lowering mechanical properties of high strength low alloy(HSLA)steel plates.New philosophy,i.e.refining by top slag with relatively low basicity and Al2O3 content,was proposed to control such kind of inclusions.Firstly,the characteristics of refining slag,such as component activities and sulphide capacity(CS)of CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-MgO slag,were studied through thermodynamic calculation.Then,slag-metal equilibrium experiments were carried out in laboratory to investigate the exact chemical composition of refining slag together with thermodynamic analysis.Finally,industrial trials were done to verify the desulphurization ability and inclusions control in steel refined by the new slag.Thermodynamic calculations indicated that the slags with basicity of 3.5and Al2O3 content of 20%and basicity of 5.0and Al2O3 content of 20% or 25% have high values of CaO activity,sulphide capacity and ratio of MgO activity to Al2O3 activity.Laboratory equilibrium experiments showed that the slag with basicity of about 4.5and Al2O3 content of about 20%is helpful for increasing the melting temperature of inclusions in steel.After introducing such kind of refining slag in industrial trials,the sulphur content in eight heats of steel is below 20×10-6,which meets the requirement of HSLA steel,and most inclusions distribute in relatively high melting zone(≥1 773K)of CaOAl2O3-MgO(-SiO2)quasi-ternary diagram.New philosophy of top refining slag is feasible to control low melting point inclusions of CaO-Al2O3 system in HSLA steel.     

Inclusions in Runner Steel During Ingot Casting

This paper reported the observation of inclusions in the steel of an ingot runner. Thermodynamic modeling was performed to study the formation mechanism and sources of inclusions. CFD modeling on fluid flow, heat transfer, solidification of molten steel was carried out and the entrapment of inclusions in runner steel was predicted and compared with the measurement. Al2O3-based inclusions were the main ones in the steel samples. MgO?Al2O3 mainly stemmed from the lining refractory. The high MnO inclusions in the runner steel came from the runner slag. The effect of natural convection was very important for the cooling and solidification of the steel in the runner. Both the observation and the modeling show that > 50μm inclusions more accumulated on the upper area in the runner and < 50μm inclusions dispersed well and more accumulated on the lower area of the runner.     

“Quartus scale” of hot-rolled strip steels and its formation mechanism

The types and growth of various oxide scales formed during the different phases of the production of hotrolled strip steel products are reviewed. Similarities and differences between the ＂tertiary scale＂ on the surface of carbon steels at high temperatures and the oxide scale on pure iron are compared. The micro-structural features of the ＂final oxide scale＂ on the surface of strip steels at room temperature as well as the relationship between these features and the position of the steel coil （plate） and the subsequent processes of recoiling, temper rolling and trimming, etc. are summarized. The actual oxide scales retained on the commercial hot-rolled strip steels at room temperature have been proposed to define as ＂ quartus scale＂ for the first time. The micro-structural development and phase transformation of the initial ＂tertiary scale＂ during and after cooling and coiling are described. The reasons for the ＂tertiary scale＂ on carbon steels differing from the oxide scale formed on pure iron, and the major influencing factors in the formation of various types of ＂quartus scales＂ are analyzed from both thermodynamic and dynamic viewpoints. The development mechanism of ＂ quartus scales＂ is discussed and the potential effects of the ＂ quartus scale＂ state （thickness, constitution, structure and defects）, on the rusting and pickling properties of commercial hot-rolled strip steel, as well as on the mechanical properties of oxide scales are analyzed.     

Control of nonmetallic inclusions of non-oriented silicon steel sheets by the rare earth treatment

Based on the industrial production of non-oriented silicon steel,the rare earth(RE) treatment during the Ruhrstahl Heraeus(RH) refining process was studied.The morphology and the size distribution were observed for the steel specimens treated with different RE treatment conditions.Furthermore,the formation and change of the nonmetallic inclusion characteristics of finished steel sheets after the RE treatment were discussed.The results have shown that in the present work,the suitable RE metal additions are 0.6-0.9 kg/t steel.After the suitable RE treatment,the formation of AlN and MnS inclusions were restrained,and the aggregation,flotation and removal of nonmetallic inclusions were efficiently promoted and the cleanliness of liquid steel was significantly increased.Meanwhile,the total oxygen concentration reached the minimum value and the desulfurization efficiency was optimal,and the type of main inclusions was approximately spherical or elliptical spherical RE radicle inclusions whose size was relatively large.     

Inclusion Characterization in High Strength Low Alloy Steel for Pipeline Application

In this work several methods including sulphur printing,modified spark spectrum analysis and SPEED-SEM-EDX methods were used to study the morphology,composition and distribution of inclusions in pipeline steel.The procedure for the last-mentioned method includes:metal sample preparation using Selective Potentiostatic Etching by Electrolytic Dissolution (SPEED) together with inclusion observation and detection using SEM-EDX equipment.The results of sulphur printing and spark spectrum analysis showed that there was a well-defined centerline containing relatively high concentrations of sulphur in the steel slab studied in this work.The results of SEM study showed that most inclusions found in the steel samples were globular in morphology,and roughly 2-5 micrometers in size.The inclusions were rich in sulphur and manganese.Some inclusions with a bright globular shape contained Al,Ca,Mn and S,and were likely composed of MnS,CaS and calcium aluminate.It was concluded that sulphur printing is a convenient and inexpensive method for inclusion analysis,Spark Spectrum Analysis provides a complete and self-contained technique for inclusion detection,and the SPEED-SEM-EDX procedure is best suited for in-situ and three-dimensional observation of inclusions.     

特殊钢精炼中的脱氧及夹杂物控制

 特殊钢是针对客户提出的质量要求,钢厂不断改进工艺,逐步提高成分、尺寸精确度和洁净度的各类钢的总称。钢中总氧量 ［TO］是衡量钢洁净度的重要标识,对于不同的钢种,其控制要求也不尽相同。在脱氧精炼过程中,存在着脱氧元素-钢中溶解氧、钢-渣、钢液-夹杂物、钢液-耐火材料、渣-耐火材料的反应与平衡,对钢中夹杂物的数量、组成和形态具有重要影响。通过热力学计算,比较了不同脱氧剂的脱氧能力,并介绍了典型特殊钢种（轴承钢、弹簧钢、帘线钢、电工钢、易切削钢等）精炼过程中的脱氧及夹杂物控制,分析和讨论了不同脱氧元素与钢液、熔渣以及耐火材料之间的相互作用机制。     

State of the art in the control of inclusions during steel ingot casting

This article extensively reviews published research on inclusions in ingot steel and defects on ingot products, methods to measure and detect inclusions in steel, the causes of exogenous inclusions, and the transport and entrapment of inclusions during fluid flow, segregation, and solidification of steel cast in ingot molds. Exogenous inclusions in ingots originate mainly from reoxidation of the molten steel, slag entrapment, and lining erosion, which are detailed in this article. The measures to prevent the formation of exogenous inclusions and improve their removal are provided, which are very useful for the clean steel production of ingot industries.     

State of the Art in the Control of Inclusions in Tire Cord Steels ‐ a Review

The control of inclusions in tire cord steels and techniques used in the production process are extensively reviewed. Inclusion and segregation requirements for the tire cord steel are discussed. The deformability of an inclusion is significantly affected by its Al₂O₃ content. Inclusions containing 20% Al₂O₃ has best deformability. The undeformable inclusions can be avoided by controlling the dissolved aluminum in the steel. Low basicity slags favour the generation of deformable inclusions. When the basicity R (=CaO/SiO₂) = 0.8‐1.5, the dissolved aluminum in the steel should be 1‐5ppm to achieve 20% Al₂O₃ in inclusions. With R=1.0‐1.4, in order to control [Al] in the range of 1‐5ppm, the slag should contain approximately 8% Al₂O₃. The technologies to control inclusions in tire cord steels are reviewed including steel deoxidizer choice, steel refining method, slag carry over from BOF to the ladle, ladle stirring practice, control of nitrogen pickup and caster curvature. Control methods to decrease the central segregation in the tire cord steel are briefly reviewed, such as electromagnetic stirring during continuous casting.     

多模式全连续铸轧产线卷渣缺陷分析及控制

通过扫描电镜和能谱分析仪对低碳低硅铝镇静钢表面卷渣缺陷微观形貌进行观察和能谱分析。结果表明,低碳低硅铝镇静钢表面较短条状卷渣缺陷的主要成分为钙、铝和氧,为典型的钙铝酸盐夹杂物;较长条状卷渣缺陷的主要成分为钙、硅、氟、钠和氧,为典型的保护渣成分。针对不同类型的卷渣缺陷及其成因,分别在炼钢工艺的挡渣出钢、精炼工艺的升温时间和钙含量以及连铸工艺的中间包控流装置、中间包保护气氛、结晶器液面波动、钢包下渣和结晶器保护渣等方面进行改造、控制和优化。采取上述措施后,因低碳低硅铝镇静钢表面卷渣缺陷造成的产品降级率由大于10.0%降至1.5%以下,产品质量得到明显提升。     

多模式全连续铸轧产线卷渣缺陷分析及控制

通过扫描电镜和能谱分析仪对低碳低硅铝镇静钢表面卷渣缺陷微观形貌进行观察和能谱分析。结果表明,低碳低硅铝镇静钢表面较短条状卷渣缺陷的主要成分为钙、铝和氧,为典型的钙铝酸盐夹杂物;较长条状卷渣缺陷的主要成分为钙、硅、氟、钠和氧,为典型的保护渣成分。针对不同类型的卷渣缺陷及其成因,分别在炼钢工艺的挡渣出钢、精炼工艺的升温时间和钙含量以及连铸工艺的中间包控流装置、中间包保护气氛、结晶器液面波动、钢包下渣和结晶器保护渣等方面进行改造、控制和优化。采取上述措施后,因低碳低硅铝镇静钢表面卷渣缺陷造成的产品降级率由大于10.0%降至1.5%以下,产品质量得到明显提升。     

帘线钢凝固过程夹杂物生成热力学及工业实践

 非金属夹杂物是影响帘线钢拉拔性能的重要因素之一,为了研究帘线钢中夹杂物的生成及转变机理,使用ASPEX自动扫描电镜观察分析了帘线钢工业生产过程中不同碱度条件下从钢液到铸坯中非金属夹杂物的转变现象,并使用FactSage7.0热力学计算软件对非金属夹杂物的转变机理进行了讨论。在高碱度条件下,钢液中非金属夹杂物主要类型为低熔点的CaO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃-MnO,铸坯中非金属夹杂物的CaO和MnO含量有所降低,同时SiO₂含量有所增加。在低碱度炉次中,钢液中非金属夹杂物主要为较高熔点的SiO₂-MnO-CaO类型,Al₂O₃含量较低。连铸坯中非金属夹杂物的SiO₂含量与钢液相比有所增加,同时MnO含量降低。热力学计算结果表明,帘线钢凝固和冷却过程中的非金属夹杂物转变由夹杂物自身的相转变和析出、非金属夹杂物和钢液间的化学反应以及溶解氧和钢基体化学成分的反应3方面原因造成。热力学计算结果较好地解释了帘线钢工业生产中钢液和铸坯中非金属夹杂物成分和形貌的转变,为帘线钢中非金属夹杂物的控制提供参考。     

Non‐Metallic Inclusions in High‐Manganese‐Alloy Steels

The possibility of applying new high‐strength steels with excellent forming behaviour (TRIP, TWIP and LIP steels) in automotive manufacturing is a significant potential for improvement in the area of reducing weight while simultaneously increasing crash safety. The present work investigates endogenous inclusions in some high‐alloy TRIP and TWIP steels because the most stringent product requirements are tightly related to cleanness. The expected formation of inclusions is discussed based on thermodynamic observations made with ThermoCalc. The solidification conditions were varied in experiments with the so‐called SSCT (submerged split chill tensile) apparatus. Furthermore, different treatment times were set in order to investigate this influence on the inclusions. A catalogue of endogenous inclusions in these new steel grades is currently being created with the help of the automated SEM/EDX inclusion analysis system at voestalpine Stahl GmbH in Linz. Further studies will follow to systematically determine the interactions between steel, slag and refractory materials.     

P92大规格钢锭锻制管坯穿管断裂致因分析

摘要：某钢厂生产的P92大规格钢锭锻制管坯常出现穿管后产生裂纹的现象,为了探究裂纹产生的原因,在断裂管坯裂纹及附近区域取样,使用金相显微镜与扫描电镜分析裂纹宏观形貌和成分,并进行夹杂物评级与成分分布分析,对无裂纹产品进行高温拉伸试验,考察热制度是否合理。结果表明:穿管断裂样品均存在夹杂物评级超标的问题,未能在精炼过程上浮去除的脱氧产物与卷渣形成的大型夹杂物在穿管过程中引起应力集中,导致裂纹萌生、扩展。针对脱氧产物未被去除的问题,对钙质脱氧剂和铝脱氧剂的加入量进行调整,并延长RH处理结束的弱搅拌时间。针对卷渣带入的夹杂物,对保护渣成分进行优化,选用低熔点保护渣。结果表明这些措施较好地解决了裂纹萌生的问题,产品夹杂物评级合格,大尺寸夹杂物数量大为减少。     

转炉冶炼低碳钢终点氧含量控制

 用户对钢的洁净度要求越来越高, 为此必须尽力减少钢中非金属夹杂物数量和尺寸,尤其是对高品质冷轧产品更为重要。首先要控制转炉冶炼终点钢水中氧活度和渣中（FeO+MnO）含量,因为这是产生钢中夹杂物的根源。根据在工厂进行的调查研究工作,讨论了冶炼低碳钢转炉终点氧含量控制因素,转炉终点氧含量对RH脱碳结束氧的影响。并提出了降低转炉终点氧含量的技术措施。     

碳脱氧在钢包顶渣改质中的应用

 为了进一步降低夹杂物缺陷并提高产品质量,基于碳脱氧进行了钢包顶渣改质的研究。冷轧产品的生产工艺为铁水预处理→转炉→RH精炼→连铸,为减少钢中夹杂物质量分数,需要进行钢包顶渣改质,同时降低钢包顶渣TFe质量分数。采用粒碳部分替代铝渣球的方法进行基于碳脱氧工艺的钢包顶渣改质,试验结果表明,顶渣改质效果良好,在顶渣TFe质量分数、中间包钢水游离氧明显降低的同时铸坯中Al₂O₃夹杂物得到优化;“30 kg粒渣+铝渣球”工艺降低生产成本5.16元/t(钢)。