Dimensional Structure of Non-Metallic Inclusions in High-Grade Medium Carbon Steel Melted in an Electric Furnace and Subjected to Desulfurization

Abstract:

Non-metallic inclusions may be introduced to liquid steel from the outside, usually with charge material, or they may be produced in the metallurgical process. According to literature, if evenly distributed, non-metallic inclusions may affect the functional properties of steel, mainly its fatigue strength. The aim of this study was to determine the quantity and dimensional structure of non-metallic inclusions in high-grade medium carbon steel melted in an electric furnace and subjected to desulfurization. The experimental material consisted of semi-finished products of high-grade, medium-carbon constructional steel containing manganese, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and boron. The levels of phosphorus and sulphur impurities did not exceed 0.02%. Billet samples were collected to determine the chemical composition, microstructure, the relative volume of non-metallic inclusions, and the size of impurities. The results were processed and presented in graphic form.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 223)
• Pages: 46-53
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.223.46
• Online since: November 2014
• Authors: Tomasz Lipiński*, Anna Wach
• Keywords: High-Grade Steel, Metallurgy, Non-Metallic Inclusions, Quantitative Metallography, Steel

References

[1] R. Kiessling, Non-metallic inclusions in steel, The Institute of Materials, London, UK (1978).

[2] B. Podgornik, V. Leskovsek, M. Godec, B. Sencic, Microstructure refinement and its effect on properties of spring steel, Mat. Sc. & Eng. A599 (2014) 81–86.

[3] L. A. Moiseeva, B. P. Moiseev Composition, Structure and Sources of Exogenous Inclusions in Steel, Steel in Translation Vol. 37, No. 7 (2007) 607–613.

DOI: 10.3103/s0967091207070133

[4] T. Lipinski, A. Wach, Non-metallic inclusions structure dimension in high quality steel with medium carbon contents, Arch. of Foundry Eng., 3, 9 (2009) 75-78.

[5] M. Kivio, l. Holappa, Addition of Titanium Oxide Inclusions into Liquid Steel to Control Nonmetallic Inclusions, Met. and Mat. Trans. 43B (2012) 233-240.

DOI: 10.1007/s11663-011-9603-5

[6] S. Yang, Q. Wang, L. Zhang, J. Li, K. Peaslee, Formation and Modification of MgO Al2O3-Based Inclusions in Alloy Steels. Met. and Mat. Trans. 43B (2012) 731-750.

DOI: 10.1007/s11663-012-9663-1

[7] S. Saberifar, A.R. Mashreghi, A Novel Method for the Prediction of Critical Inclusion Size Leading to Fatigue Failure, Met. and Mat. Trans. B 43B (2012) 603-608.

DOI: 10.1007/s11663-012-9640-8

[8] T. Lipiński, A. Wach, The influence of outfurnace processing on the exploatinal propriety the middle carbon high quality cocstructional steel, Arch. of Fondry Eng. 1, 10 (2010) 93-96.

[9] V. S. Gulyakov, A. S. Vusikhis, and D. Z. Kudinov, Nonmetallic Oxide Inclusions and Oxygen in the Vacuum Jet Refining of Steel, Steel in Transl. 42/11 (2012) 781–783.

DOI: 10.3103/s0967091212110034

[10] A. N. Smirnov, V. G. Efimova, A. V. Kravchenko, Flotation of Nonmetallic Inclusions during Argon Injection into the Tundish of a Continuous_Casting Machine. Part 2, Steel in Trans. 44/1 (2014) 11–16.

DOI: 10.3103/s0967091214010185

[11] A. Srivastava, L. Ponson, S. Osovski, E. Bouchaud, V. Tvergaard, A. Needleman, Effect of inclusion density on ductile fracture toughness and roughness, J. of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 63 (2014) 62–79.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmps.2013.10.003

[12] D. Steiner Petrovic, M. Jenko, M. Hraes, Study of the morphology of non-metallic inclusions in non-oriented electrical steel containing Cu and Se, Vacuum 71 (2003) 33–40.

DOI: 10.1016/s0042-207x(02)00710-8

[13] T. Lipiński, A. Wach, The effect of the production process of medium-carbon steel on fatigue strength, Arch. of Foundry Eng., vol. 10, Issue 2 (2010) 79-82.

[14] Y. Wang, Y. Bao, M. Wang, L. Zhang, Precipitation and control of BN inclusions in 42CrMo steel and their effect on machinability, Metall. and Mat. 20/9 (2013), 842-849.

DOI: 10.1007/s12613-013-0805-5

[15] D. Spriestersbach, P. Grad, E. Kerscher, Influence of different non-metallic inclusion types on the crack initiation in high-strength steels in the VHCF regime, Intern. J. of Fat. 64 (2014) 114–120.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2014.03.003

[16] M.H. Evans, A.D. Richardson, L. Wang, R.J.K. Wood, W.B. Anderson, Confirming subsurface initiation at non-metallic inclusions as one mechanism for white etching crack (WEC) formation, TribologyInternational75(2014)87–97.

DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2014.03.012

[17] Y. Hong, Z. Lei, Ch. Sun, A. Zhao, Propensities of crack interior initiation and early growth for very-high-cycle fatigue of high strength steels, Intern. J. l of Fat. 58 (2014) 144–151.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2013.02.023

[18] Y. Bao, M. Wang, W. Jiang, A method for observing the three-dimensional morphologies of inclusions in steel, Met. and Mater. 19/2 (2012) 111-115.

DOI: 10.1007/s12613-012-0524-3

[19] Ch. Shi, X. Chen, H. Guo, Characteristics of inclusions in high-Al steel during electroslag remelting proces. Met. and Mat. 19/4 (2012) 295-302.

DOI: 10.1007/s12613-012-0554-x

[20] A. Roiko, H. Hänninen, H. Vuorikari, Anisotropic distribution of non-metallic inclusions in a forged steel roll and its influence on fatigue limit, Intern. J. of Fat. 41 (2012) 158–167.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2011.12.023