Evolution of CaO–MgO–Al2O3–CaS–(SiO2) inclusions in H13 die steel during electroslag remelting process

Abstract

The effect of Al–Mg alloy addition on the cleanliness and CaO–MgO–Al2O3–CaS–(SiO2) inclusions during electroslag remelting of H13 die steel with low oxygen content was investigated by experimental study and thermodynamic calculation. The results show that the oxygen content of consumable electrode (15 × 10−6) was invalid to be reduced after Al–Mg alloy addition during protective gas electroslag remelting (P-ESR) process. In the case of Al–Mg alloy addition during P-ESR process, the oxygen content pick-up and silicon loss of remelted ingot were avoided, and sulphur content was further decreased. CaS content of complex inclusions were decreased significantly after P-ESR process. The type of inclusions was not changed during P-ESR process with Al–Mg alloy addition, except the increase in the concentrations of CaS in individual inclusion. The original oxide inclusions inconsumable electrode transformed to liquid state during P-ESR, and original CaS inclusions were eliminated. The CaS portion in CaS-bearing complex inclusions is the inclusion that formed on the surface of oxide inclusion during the cooling of liquid steel process in liquid metal pool.