Prediction of Inclusion Evolution During Refining and Solidification of Steel: Computational Simulation and Experimental Confirmation

Abstract

We developed a simulation model to predict inclusion transformation during the solidification of steel by linking the Ohnaka model with the FactSage macro simulation. We named this model the “Steel Solidification - Inclusion (SSI) model.” Specifically, the phase transformation of trapped inclusions in solidified steel during the solidification process was also considered in the SSI model. A newly developed SSI model was linked with the Refractory-Slag-Metal-Inclusion (ReSMI) multiphase reaction model, which was already reported by the present authors, to predict the inclusion evolution procedure during the refining and casting processes. The changed steel composition after the ReSMI multiphase reaction was utilized to calculate the microsegregation of solutes in the steel using the developed SSI model. From this combinatorial simulation, the inclusion evolution procedure is successfully predicted during the refining and casting processes.