Effect of Deoxidation and Slag Composition on Inclusion Evolution and Cleanliness in Bearing Steels

Fatigue life of bearing steels predominantly depends on steel cleanliness that demands lower nonmetallic inclusions. Industrial trials were conducted to study the inclusion evolution under different deoxidation practices. The inclusion evolution routes in bearing steels deoxidized through aluminum and Fe-Si are Al2O3 -> CaO - Al2O3– SiO2 – MgO and CaO - Al2O3 – SiO2 -> CaO - Al2O3 – SiO2 – MgO, respectively. Inclusions with Al2O3 content in Si-killed heats is due to residual aluminum in ferroalloys. Process optimization trials were done to control Al2O3 content in inclusions and better castability was observed with modified deoxidation practice with liquid CAMS inclusions.

Authors:

Mr. Soorya Prakash Jayaraj | JSW Steel Ltd. Salem Works
 

Mrs. Kalaivani Ganesh | JSW Steel Ltd. Salem Works
 

Mr. Deepoo Kumar | Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay
 

Dr. Manjini Sambandam | JSW Steel Ltd.
 

Session Chairs:

April Pitts-Baggett | Nucor Business Technology
 

Karen Uffalussy | Resco Products, Inc.
 

S. Tuğrul Imer | Kardemir