Quantitative characterization of mns inclusions in S355 steel regarding to solidification rate

Abstract

A practice of special interest for metallurgical steelmaking is the relationship between redistribution of solute elements and dendrite microsegregation that occurs during solidification. These phenomena have a significant impact on the final properties of cast and forged products. In this paper, a calculation of the characteristic chemical phases in S355 steel using a software program Thermo-Calc is presented. Also, the paper presents experimental measurements of the dendrites size and non-metallic inclusions using optical and electron probe microanalyzer, as well as the calculation of the local solidification rate on the particular example. These phenomena are of special interest when it comes to thin castings and higher cooling rates. Thin castings require higher quality of casting surface, corresponding distribution, and character than those of non-metallic inclusions. Thermo-calc software was used for calculation of equilibrium phases, temperature ranges of solidification of tested material, and temperature range for developing characteristic equilibrium phase. It was found that during solidification and cooling processes manganese sulphide inclusions were formed. Additionally, accurate values for solidus and liquidus temperatures, which coincide with the values of solidus and liquidus temperatures obtained by the Thermo Calc, were calculated. Using optical and electron probe microanalyzer, the type of inclusions were confirmed, whereas chemical composition and size measurement of dendrites, and formed non-metallic inclusions were determined. Mapping and Linescan methods were used to examine the size and exact chemical composition of sulphides in atomic percents. Using secondary dendrites local solidification rate was calculated (for casting surface area solidification rate was 5 K/s). This paper gives contribution to better understanding the influence of cooling rate on casting microstructure formation and dendrites, which essentially determine the size of non-metallic inclusions and their redistribution.