Abstract
Clogging of high Si-containing stainless steel grades was studied by metallographic examinations of steel samples from clogged and non-clogged heats as well as by thermodynamic modeling using Thermo-Calc and FactSage. Morphology, composition, number and size of inclusions and clusters in the steel samples were determined on a polished surface of the steel samples by using a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The results showed that the content of Al in ferroalloys added during ladle treatment should be controlled to avoid a formation of spinel MgOAl2O3 inclusions in liquid steel and a resulting clogging during casting. The thermodynamic calculations showed that the Al content in a melt during ladle treatment and casting should not be larger than 0.003% to obtain <1% of MgOAl2O3 inclusions in the liquid steel for a 1.9% silicon content. Moreover, calculations also showed that if the Si content increased from 1.9% (non-clogging heats) to 2.65% (clogging heats), the number of MgOAl2O3 inclusions decreased slightly. Moreover, it was found that an increased amount of FeSi additions for correction of Si content in the melt increase the Al content. As a result, the number of spinels and clusters increases, which is the primary cause for clogging during casting of these steel grades.
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