Evolution of Nonmetallic Inclusion during Steelmaking Process of Cold Heading Steel SWRCH35K

Abstract

In order to analyze the evolution of the inclusions in the cold heading steel SWRCH35K during the steelmaking process, a systematic sampling of the steelmaking processes in a steel plant was carried out. Both SEM-EDS and the image processing software Image-Pro-Plus6.0 were employed to analyze the chemical composition, morphology, quantity and size of non-metal inclusions in the steel samples. The results show that from BOF tapping to continuous casting tundish, the composition of inclusions in SWRCH35K steel changes from Al2O3 → MgO·Al2O3 → CaO-MgO-Al2O3-CaS, and the typical morphology of the inclusions in the steel gradually changes from irregular blocks and clusters to spherical. The number of inclusions in the BOF argon blowing station is the largest, 213#/mm2, while the number of inclusions at the end of LF refining is the least, about 12#/mm2, and there are basically no inclusions above 5 μm. In addition, LF calcium treatment will adversely affect the size and quantity control of inclusions in steel. In order to effectively reduce the large-size calcium-containing spherical oxide inclusions in cold heading steel, it is necessary to find a technical method that can replace LF calcium treatment to solve the problem of molten steel continuous casting.