Effect of Aluminium Injection into the Crystalizator on Type, Composition and Activity of Inclusions in Low Carbon Steel

This study was intended to investigate the effect of injection of aluminium into the crystallizator on type, composition and activity of inclusions in low carbon steel grade USD7. The steel is made in Zob-e-Ahan Isfahan factory and its porosities and inclusions results in the problem of rupturing during rolling process. To improve the quality of this steel, 2.4 mm diameter pure aluminum wires were injected in to the crystallizator at the rate of 2, 4, 6 or 8 m/min in certain periods and then sampling was done. The results indicated that much of the added aluminum changed to aluminum oxide slag, and the remaining part altered the chemical composition of the inclusions. Increased aluminum caused an increase in the activity of alumina and reduction in the activity of other oxides in the slag and existing inclusions in the melt. By increasing Al2O3 activity from 0.313 to 0.649, the Al2O3 formation and oxygen exclusion probability increased in the system. Scanning electron microscopy showed that without aluminium injection, most of inclusions were FeO-MnO type placed around existing porosities in the ingot. The optimum rate of aluminum injection was found to be 4 m/min.