In-Situ Observation of Inclusions in Si-Mn-Killed Steel Using HT-CSLM

This study reports agglomeration/coagulation tendencies of multi-phase inclusions in Si-Mn-killed steel. In-situ observation of the interaction between various single-phase and multi-phase inclusions including silica, alumina, aluminosilicate and calcium-aluminosilicate at the steel/argon interface was carried out using a high-temperature confocal scanning laser microscope. From the obtained images, inclusion agglomeration potency was quantified by using capillary-force model, revealing attraction forces ranging from 10-18 N to 10-15 N, with force acting over lengths from 5 to 97 µm. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of contact angle, inclusion composition and liquid steel surface on the attractive force existing between these inclusions is discussed.

Suwam Kumar | McMaster University
 

Muhammad Nabeel | McMaster University
 

Andre B. Phillion | McMaster University
 

Kenneth S. Coley | Western University
 

Neslihan Dogan | Delft University of Technology