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Inclusion Metallurgy (2nd Edition)

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A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701). This special issue belongs to the section "Metal Casting, Forming and Heat Treatment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2024) | Viewed by 8016

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Prof. Dr. Yanling Zhang

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Guest Editor

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology, Beijing, China
Interests: research on application of solid waste such as red mud in steelmaking process; research on basic rheology and melt properties of metallurgical slag; steelmaking process technology theory and application; comprehensive utilization of secondary resources
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Prof. Dr. Guoguang Cheng

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Guest Editor

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
Interests: metal
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Non-metallic inclusions have a great influence on the cleanliness and mechanical properties of steel. Controlling the size and composition of inclusions contributes to the excellent properties of “clean steel”. At the same time, in terms of our understanding of inclusions’ behavior using thermodynamics principles, the design and control of the composition, shape, size, and distribution of non-metallic inclusions in different steels can significantly enhance steel properties.

The primary focus of this Special Issue is on recent advances in inclusion engineering that aim at controlling steel cleanliness and microstructure by modeling and experimental work. The particularly interesting research theme of the formation mechanism and evolution control methods of inclusions in the smelting process in laboratory and steel plants is welcomed. The study of the agglomeration and floatation of inclusions and the kinetics of slag adsorption in the process of refining and solidification are also potential themes of contribution.

Topics addressed in this Special Issue may include, but are not limited to, the following aspects:

Formation/evaluation of inclusions during steel smelting/refining/solidification;
Multiphase reaction of steel–slag–inclusion–refractory;
Thermodynamics and kinetics prediction;
Fundamentals on wettability, contact angle, and surface tension, as well as the related basic database;
Inclusion metallurgy in clean steel.

Prof. Dr. Yanling Zhang
Prof. Dr. Guoguang Cheng
Guest Editors

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Keywords

inclusion
clean steel
multiphase reaction
refining
interface behavior.

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 16463 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Inclusion Parameter and Depth on the Rotating Bending Fatigue Behavior of Bearing Steel

by Lijun Xu, Zhonghua Zhan and Shulan Zhang

Metals 2024, 14(8), 907; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14080907 - 9 Aug 2024

Viewed by 790

Abstract

Inclusions are an important parameter affecting the fatigue life of materials. In this paper, the type, size, and quantity of inclusions in bearing steel were quantitatively analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and automatic scanning electron microscopy with an X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy function. The effects of the inclusion parameters and positions on the rotating bending fatigue properties were analyzed using the rotating bending fatigue test. The results proved that for samples 1 and 2, the inclusions were mainly sulfides, Ti-containing inclusions, and their composite inclusions. For samples 3 and 4, the inclusions were mainly oxides or sulfide–oxide complexes. The number and maximum size of inclusions in sample 2 were relatively small. This was mainly due to the difference in the content of Al, S, and Ca elements in the different samples. The inclusion distance to the surface and the maximum inclusion size had a larger influence on the rotating bending fatigue life in comparison to the inclusion type. Moreover, nitride–oxides had a more detrimental effect on the rotating bending fatigue life as compared to the sulfide–oxide complex inclusions. A model was established on the basis of the inclusion size, depth, and stress by using the Python software. The simulation demonstrated that using five parameters fit well with the experiment results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inclusion Metallurgy (2nd Edition))

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17 pages, 5642 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrochemical Characteristics and Corrosion Mechanisms of High-Strength Corrosion-Resistant Steel Reinforcement under Simulated Service Conditions

by Jing Yuan, Pei Li, Huanhuan Zhang, Shubiao Yin and Mingli Xu

Metals 2024, 14(8), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14080876 - 30 Jul 2024

Viewed by 983

Abstract

Long-term steel reinforcement corrosion greatly impacts reinforced concrete structures, particularly in marine and coastal settings. Concrete failure leads to human casualties, requiring extensive demolition and maintenance, which represents an inefficient use of energy and resources. This study utilizes microscopic observation, atomic force microscopy (SKPM), electrochemical experiments, and XPS analysis to investigate the corrosion behavior of 500CE and 500E under identical conditions. We compared 500E with 500CE, supplemented with 0.94% Cr, 0.46% Mo, 0.37% Ni, and 0.51% Cu through alloying element regulation to obtain a finer ferrite grain and lower pearlitic content. The results indicate that 500CE maintains a stable potential, whereas 500E exhibits larger grain sizes and significant surface potential fluctuations, which may predispose it to corrosion. In addition, despite its more uniform microstructure and stable electrochemical activity, 500E shows inferior corrosion resistance under prolonged exposure. The electrochemical corrosion rate of 500CE in both the pristine and passivated states and for various passivation durations is slower than that of 500E, indicating superior corrosion performance. Notably, there is a significant increase in the corrosion rate of 500E after 144 h of exposure. This study provides valuable insights into the chloride corrosion phenomena of low-alloy corrosion-resistant steel reinforcement in service, potentially enhancing the longevity of reinforced concrete structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inclusion Metallurgy (2nd Edition))

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12 pages, 5237 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Submerged Entry Nozzles on Fluid Flow, Slag Entrainment, and Solidification in Slab Continuous Casting

by Xingang Zhen, Shiheng Peng and Jiongming Zhang

Metals 2024, 14(3), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14030349 - 18 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1242

Abstract

In this paper, the fluid flow, slag entrainment and solidification process in a slab mold were studied using physical modeling and numerical simulation. The effect of two types of submerged entry nozzles (SENs) was also studied. The results showed that the surface velocity for type A SEN was larger than that using type B SEN. For type A SEN, the maximum surface velocity was 0.63 m/s and 0.56 m/s, and it was 0.20 m/s and 0.18 m/s for type B SEN. The larger shear effect on the top surface made the slag at narrow face impacted to the vicinity of 1/4 wide face, while the slag layer at the top surface was relatively stable for type B SEN. Increasing the immersion depth of SEN decreased the surface velocity and slag entrainment. For type A SEN, the thickness of the solidified shell at the narrow face of the mold outlet was thin (12.3 mm) and there was a risk of breakout. For type B SEN, the liquid steel with high temperature would flow to the meniscus and it was beneficial to the melting of the mold flux. The thickness of the solidified shell at the narrow face of the mold outlet was increased. Furthermore, the surface velocity was also increased and it was not recommended for high casting speed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inclusion Metallurgy (2nd Edition))

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16 pages, 6413 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Titanium Impurity Control in V-Bearing Pig Iron Prepared via the Sodium Smelting of Vanadium–Titanium Magnetite

by Zhiwei Bian, Lei Cao, Desheng Chen, Hongxin Zhao, Tao Qi, Lina Wang and Yulan Zhen

Metals 2023, 13(9), 1620; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13091620 - 19 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1227

Abstract

The sodium smelting of vanadium–titanium magnetite (VTM) can realize a multi-component comprehensive utilization of VTM. To broaden the application of the vanadium-bearing pig iron produced through this process, it is imperative to maintain the titanium content in molten iron at a very low level. In this study, the effects of temperature, the added amounts of sodium carbonate and anthracite, and the smelting time on the titanium content of molten iron were investigated using thermodynamic calculations and experiments. The results indicate that the introduction of sodium carbonate makes the reduction reaction of VTM a relatively low-temperature smelting system. In the smelting process, the Ti content in molten iron increases with the increase in temperature and decreases with the addition of sodium carbonate, while the amount of anthracite added has little effect on it. The appropriate technological parameters were determined as temperature: 1150–1250 °C, smelting time: ≥2 h, anthracite consumption: 25–35%, and sodium carbonate consumption: ≥60%. In addition, it was determined that the Ti impurities in the V-bearing pig iron were mainly (Ti,V)(C,N), CaTiO₃, and Na₂TiO₃. All results obtained from this work contribute to the comprehensive utilization of VTM, and also provide theoretical support for the sodium smelting of VTM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inclusion Metallurgy (2nd Edition))

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12 pages, 9451 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Al₂O₃ on Inclusion Removal in H13 Steels Using High-Basicity LF (Ladle Furnace) Refining Slags

by Ting Liang, Zhuo Qin and Linzhu Wang

Metals 2023, 13(9), 1592; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13091592 - 14 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1074

Abstract

In this experiment, a quaternary fluorine-free refining slag system of CaO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃-MgO was selected, with basicity ratios of 2, 4, and 6 and calcium-aluminum ratios of 1.5, 2.1, and 3. High-temperature “slag-steel equilibrium” experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of different basicity ratios and calcium–aluminum ratios on the morphologies, compositions, sizes, and quantities of the inclusions in H13 steel, aiming to improve the cleanliness of H13 steel to meet practical industrial requirements. The experimental results showed that with the increase in the basicity ratio and the calcium–aluminum ratio, the morphologies of the inclusions changed from elliptical to regular circular, with more regular edges. As the basicity ratio increased from 2 to 6, the densities of the inclusions showed a decreasing trend, with values of 40, 35, 30, 25, 32, and 30 inclusions/mm². When the basicity ratio remained the same, the average size of the inclusions in the steel decreased first and then increased with the increases in the calcium–aluminum ratios, with sizes of 1.59 μm, 1.23 μm, and 1.38 μm, respectively. Among these, when the basicity ratio was 6 and the calcium–aluminum ratio was 2.1, the control effect on the densities and sizes of the inclusions was the best, yielding an inclusion density of 25 inclusions/mm² and a size of 1.15 μm. Additionally, reducing the Al₂O₃ content in the slag could reduce the Al₂O₃ contents in the inclusions, which also promoted improvements in the elastic deformation capacities of the inclusions. With increases in the calcium–aluminum ratios in the slag system, the masses of the inclusions decreased due to the reduced Al contents in the steel. The Al contents in the steel also had an impact on the compositions of the inclusions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inclusion Metallurgy (2nd Edition))

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17 pages, 7766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Slag Basicity on Non-Metallic Inclusions and Cleanliness of 15-5PH Stainless Steel

by Zhonghua Zhan, Yanling Zhang, Ruxing Shi, Tong Qiao, Guanbo Wang and Guoguang Cheng

Metals 2023, 13(4), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13040750 - 12 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2052

Abstract

Few reports exist on the effect of the basicity of refining slag on inclusions in 15-5PH stainless steel and its removal efficiency. In this study, the effects of various basicities on the formation and removal efficiency of inclusions in molten steel were investigated. To investigate the effect of the chemical makeup of slag on the non-metallic inclusions in liquid steel, laboratory experiments and thermodynamic calculations were conducted on CaO-MgO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃-CaF₂ slag with various slag basicities and 15-5PH stainless steel. In the steel samples that had reacted with high-basicity slag samples, the magnesium content and aluminum yield were higher. Thermodynamic findings according to the ion and molecule coexistence theory showed that log (

a_{{SiO}_{2}}^{3} / a_{{Al}_{2} O_{3}}^{2}

) decreases as slag basicity increases. This increases the Al concentration in liquid steel while decreasing the Si content. Log (

a_{MgO}^{3} / a_{{Al}_{2} O_{3}}

) also increases, increasing the Mg content of the molten steel. With this, the transformation order of oxide inclusions is Al₂O₃ → MgAl₂O₄ → MgO. High-basicity slag increases the attachment of slag to inclusions and generates MgAl₂O₄ inclusions that are more easily adsorbed by inclusions in molten steel, thereby improving the cleanliness of molten steel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inclusion Metallurgy (2nd Edition))

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