Systematic Examination of Metallographic Methods for Detection of Primary Steel Texture

Abstract

In spite of speedy development of technical tools for examination, the importance of macro structural investigation has not decreased; on the contrary, these methods are in the state of their revival. One of evident reasons for it is the fact, that the results of macro structural examinations and the conclusions drawn from them are in the closest relation with the parameters of technology, reflect their changes, and the deviations from the specified values. It is expedient from time to time to check the methods proved earlier suitable for macro structural investigation, possibly to develop and implement new methods. We have to take in account that the methods now widely applied were developed when the technology, composition, type and quantity of pollutants were still basically different from those of the present. We mention as an example that in the fundamental work of George F. Vander Voort published in 1984 the examinations of macrostructure of continuously cast semi products occupied hardly one to two pages, while nowadays they produce about 90% of the annual 1.1 billion tonne steel quantity in continuous casting plants, thus the decisive proportion of continuously cast semi products examination can hardly be questioned. Taking in consideration the above points of view, in the frame of a consortium work we examined the macrostructure of samples taken from bloom slabs cast on vertical continuous casting machine from nine consciously chosen charges, with methods known from the literature or personal information.