Determination of non-metallic inclusions in a continuous casting slab of ultra-low carbon interstitial free steel by applying of metallographic method, electrolytic method and RTO technique.

ABSTRACT

Metallographic, electrolytic method and RTO(room temperature organic) technique were applied in the present study to more accurately determine non-metallic inclusion in a ultra-low carbon interstitial free(IF) steel and further to confirm their origination in a Compact Strip Production Process (CSP Process) continuous casting (CC) slab. Results show that inclusions detected by metallographic method usually appear relative smaller size and are mainly Al2O3 based or TiN based in composition, whereas those extracted by electrolytic method usually have larger size and are much more calcium-silicate based in composition. In addition, inner structures of extracted inclusions were detected by applying of RTO technique. The large size calcium-silicate based inclusions are confirmed high possibilities originating from mold flux and/or tundish flux entrapment, which are less affected by the liquid steel composition; while the smaller ones are generally endogenous inclusion precipitating during the refining or solidification process that strongly depending on the liquid steel composition and temperature.