Methods for Improving the Efficiency of Steel Modifying

Abstract

In connection with the need to improve the quality characteristics of metal products, metallurgists are faced with the task of finding new effective methods for secondary steel processing. It is known that the use of simple, two-component materials does not significantly improve the quality of the metal. Complex modifiers with alkaline-earth elements are increasingly used for the modifying processing of steel. These modifiers allow to influence both the metal structure and the shape, phase composition and physical properties of nonmetallic inclusions. At the same time, it is known that barium and strontium practically do not dissolve in steel and are removed from the alloy in the extremely short time. The ability of barium and strontium alloys to deoxidize and desulphurize is low because of the large atomic mass of these elements. The modifying effect of alkaline-earth elements on the properties of steel is undeniable. This effect can be explained by the ability of barium and strontium to affect the magnitude of inter-phase tension in the event of contact with the phase boundary. The purpose of this work was to generalize the industrial experience of using multicomponent alloys with alkaline-earth elements for modifying of steel. Data on the effects of alloys with alkaline-earth elements on the properties of metals are given, as well as technological features of the use of complex alloys with alkaline-earth metals in steelmaking. Thus, it is noted that in conditions of large-scale steelmaking, a very important factor is the limited time in time of the modifying effect of alloys with alkaline-earth metals, which dictates the necessity of transferring the process of modification directly to casting.