Investigation of Formation Features of Sulphide Inclusions and their Distribution inside the Grain Depending upon the Conditions of Steel 20 Deoxidation

Abstract

The paper reports laboratory test findings on the impact of steel oxidation level on distribution features of non-metallic inclusions in low-alloyed structural steels. An analysis of the effect of various oxidation methods of steel on the distribution and formation of non-metallic inclusions is made. The results reveal a relation between the amount of sulphide and oxisulphide inclusions formed and steel oxidation level. The release of oxisulphide from the melt is accompanied with a decrease in the amount of both oxygen and sulphur. After oxygen content has achieved an equilibrium value, only “pure” sulphides are formed, which may deteriorate steel plastic properties. Thus, sulphides start precipitating only when oxygen content in the melt falls to a very low value. An increase in the amount of oxysulphides is accompanied with a decrease in sulphur concentration in the melt which reduces sulphide phase concentration at grain boundaries and stabilizes plastic properties. Thus the negative effect of sulphur can be reduced not only by decreasing its content in steel through expensive secondary steelmaking methods but also by controling the amount, shape and types of oxide, sulphide and oxisulphide inclusions in steel.