Characterization of the globular oxide inclusion ratings in steel using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Abstract

Grade assessment of steel is generally performed via the metallographic method, which is timeconsuming and is not able to provide the elemental distribution information. In this paper, we present a method to measure the globular oxide inclusion ratings in steel using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The measurement is performed in two basic steps: steel samples are polished using metallographic sand paper and the Al₂O₃ inclusion number and size distribution in a marked area are observed using scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) for further LIBS scanning analysis. The threshold intensity that distinguishes soluble aluminum and insoluble aluminum inclusions is determined using LIBS combined with the SEM/EDS statistical data. Carbon steel (the sample number is S9256) and bearing steel (the sample number is GCr15) are analyzed in scanning mode, and the number of Al₂O₃ inclusions in different size ranges is obtained from the statistical information derived from the Al₂O₃ size calibration curve. According to heavy and thin series for globular oxide inclusions grade assessment, the method we propose is comparable to the traditional metallographic method in terms of accuracy; however, the process is simplified and the measurement speed is significantly improved.

Keywords

laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) / globular oxide inclusion / steel grade assessment / elemental distribution

References

[1] R. Noll, C. F. Begemann, M. Brunk, S. Connemann, C. Meinhardt, M. Scharun, V. Sturm, J. Makowe, and C. Gehlen, Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy expands into industrial applications, Spectrochim. Acta B 93, 41 (2014)

[2] V. Sturm, J. Vrenegor, R. Noll, and M. Hemmerlin, Bulk analysis of steel samples with surface scale layers by enhanced laser ablation and LIBS analysis of C, P, S, Al, Cr, Cu, Mn and Mo, J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 19(4), 451 (2004)

[3] A. Sarkar, V. Karki, S. K. Aggarwal, G. SMaurya, R. Kumar, A. K. Rai, X. Mao, and R. E. Russo, Spectrochim. Acta B 108, 8 (2015)

[4] R. S. Harmon, R. E. Russo, and R. R. Hark, Applications of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for geochemical and environmental analysis: A comprehensive review, Spectrochim. Acta B 87, 11 (2013)

[5] R. Harmon, K. Shughrue, J. Remus, M. Wise, L. East, and R. Hark, Can the provenance of the conflict minerals columbite and tantalite be ascertained by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy? Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 400(10), 3377 (2011)

[6] M. Z. Martin, S. Allman, D. J. Brice, R. CMartin, and N. O. Andre, Exploring laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for nuclear materials analysis and in-situ applications, Spectrochim. Acta B74–75, 177 (2012)

[7] D. A. Cremers, A. Beddingfield, R. Smithwick, R. C. Chinni, C. R. Jones, B. Beardsley, and L. Karch, Monitoring uranium, hydrogen, and lithium and their isotopes using a compact laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) probe and highresolution spectrometer, Appl. Spectrosc. 66(3), 250 (2012)

[8] M. Galiová, J. Kaiser, K. Novotný, J. Novotný, T. Vaculovi? M. Liška, R. Malina, K. Stejskal, V. Adam, and R. Kizek, Investigation of heavy-metal accumulation in selected plant samples using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, Appl. Phys. A 93(4), 917 (2008)

[9] F. M. V. Pereira, D. M. B. P. Milori, A. L. Venâncio, M. S. T. Russo, P. K. Martins, and J. F. Astúa, Evaluation of the effects of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus on inoculated citrus plants using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and chemometrics tools, Talanta 83(2), 351 (2010)

[10] J. D. Winefordner, I. B. Gornushkin, T. Correll, E. Gibb, B. W. Smith, and N. Omenetto, Comparing several atomic spectrometric methods to the super stars: special emphasis on laser induced breakdown spectrometry, LIBS, a future super star, J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 19(9), 1061 (2004)

[11] Z. Wang, T. B. Yuan, Z. Y. Hou, W. D. Zhou, J. D. Lu, H. B. Ding, and X. Y. Zeng, Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in China, Front. Phys. 9(4), 419 (2014)

[12] J. Yu and R. E. Zheng, Laser-induced plasma and laserinduced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in China: The challenge and the opportunity, Front. Phys. 7(6), 647 (2012)

[13] D. W. Hahn and N. Omennetto, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Part II: Review of instrumental and methodological approaches to material analysis and applications to different fields, Appl. Spectrosc. 66(4), 347 (2012)

[14] G. Cristoforetti, E. Tognoni, and L. A. Gizzi, Thermodynamic equilibrium states in laser-induced plasmas: From the general case to laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy plasmas, Spectrochim. Acta B 90, 1 (2013)

[15] J. Kaiser, M. Galiová, K. Novotný, R. Červenka, L. Reale, J. Novotný, M. Liška, O. Samek, V. Kanický, A. Hrdlička, K. Stejskal, V. Adam, and R. Kizek, Mapping of lead, magnesium and copper accumulation in plant tissues by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, Spectrochim. Acta B 64(1), 67 (2009)

[16] V. Motto-Ros, L. Sancey, X. C. Wang, Q. L. Ma, F. Lux, X. S. Bai, G. Panczer, O. Tillement, and J. Yu, Mapping nanoparticles injected into a biological tissue using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, Spectrochim. Acta B 87, 168 (2013)

[17] F. Boué-Bigne, Analysis of oxide inclusions in steel by fast laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy scanning: An approach to quantification, Appl. Spectrosc. 61(3), 333 (2007)

[18] H. M. Kuss, H. Mittelstaedt, and G. Mueller, Inclusion mapping and estimation of inclusion contents in ferrous materials by fast scanning laser-induced optical emission spectrometry, J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 20(8), 730 (2005)

[19] F. Boué-Bigne, Simultaneous characterization of elemental segregation and cementite networks in high carbon steel products by spatially-resolved laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, Spectrochim. Acta B 96, 21 (2014)

[20] M. P. Mateo, L. M. Cabalin, J. M. Baena, and J. J. Laserna, Surface interaction and chemical imaging in plasma spectrometry induced with a line-focused laser beam, Spectrochim. Acta B 57(3), 601 (2002)

[21] I. Lopez-Quintas, M. P. Mateo, V. Piñon, A. Yañez, and G. Nicolas, Mapping of mechanical specimens by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy method: Application to an engine valve, Spectrochim. Acta B74–75, 109 (2012)

[22] I. V. Cravetchi, M. Taschuk, Y. Y. Tsui, and R. Fedosejevs, Scanning microanalysis of Al alloys by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, Spectrochim. Acta B 59(9), 1439 (2004)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2016 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg