Laboratory study on the formation of Al₂O₃ inclusions at the on-set of deoxidation and during reoxidation

Abstract

The formation of Al₂O₃ inclusions in liquid iron has been investigated in a resistance heated tube furnace to obtain deoxidation and reoxidation related data. The formation of inclusions during the early stages of deoxidation was simulated by bringing a piece of Al in contact for a short time with liquid Fe containing different dissolved oxygen levels. Reoxidation was studied by exposing Al containing Fe melts to a CO/CO₂ atmosphere. Through modeling, an estimate of the local and time-dependent growth conditions for the inclusions can be made and linked to the inclusion characteristics.

Keywords

steel cleanliness / Al₂O₃ inclusions / deoxidation / reoxidation / morphology