Improvement of the decarburization rate in austenitic stainless steelmaking

Abstract

In order to enhance the decarburization rate at low carbon content region during the decarburization of molten stainless steel in argan oxygen decarburization, inert gas was blown into top slag and molten steel through a top lance. The carbon content at the end point of the decarburization process was found to reach lower values than conventional levels without the inert gas top blowing. The decarburization rate might be improved, probably due to the disturbance of the slag/metal interface and the dilution of CO gas. The influence of slag in decarburization step on the decarburization and the reduction reactions of chrome oxides in the slag were also experimentally and theoretically investigated by establishing a kinetic model of the decarburization of molten stainless steel under the existence of slag containing chrome oxide. The liquid fraction of the slag appears to be essential for a more effective decarburization reaction. Countermeasures were also proposed to prevent carbon pickup from burnt lime for better slag control.