TY - GEN

T1 - Different Approaches to Trace the Source of Non-Metallic Inclusions in Steel

AU - Thiele, Kathrin

AU - Ilie, Sergiu

AU - Rössler, Roman

AU - Walkner, Christoph

AU - Meisel, Thomas C.

AU - Prohaska, Thomas

AU - Michelic, Susanne Katharina

PY - 2022/8

Y1 - 2022/8

N2 - Improvement of steel cleanness requires detailed knowledge about the formation of non-metallic inclusions. Tracing inclusionsand potential sources is an effective tool for studying inclusion evolution. In the paper, two tracing approaches are evaluated.First, classical tracer experiments are performed, where rare earth elements (REE) like La or Ce are deliberately added to themelt on an industrial scale to mark the inclusions directly. Second, the natural REE multi-element fingerprint of the inclusionsis compared to the REE multi-element pattern of potential sources such as alloying and auxiliary materials. These REEdistributions profiles are interpreted by normalizing the REE fractions to reference values. REE contents are analyzed byinductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in all cases. Both approaches are applied to track the source of clogged materialin the submerged entry nozzle from Ti-ULC steel production. Results show a clear connection between inclusions resultingfrom deoxidation and the clogged layer in the SEN.

AB - Improvement of steel cleanness requires detailed knowledge about the formation of non-metallic inclusions. Tracing inclusionsand potential sources is an effective tool for studying inclusion evolution. In the paper, two tracing approaches are evaluated.First, classical tracer experiments are performed, where rare earth elements (REE) like La or Ce are deliberately added to themelt on an industrial scale to mark the inclusions directly. Second, the natural REE multi-element fingerprint of the inclusionsis compared to the REE multi-element pattern of potential sources such as alloying and auxiliary materials. These REEdistributions profiles are interpreted by normalizing the REE fractions to reference values. REE contents are analyzed byinductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in all cases. Both approaches are applied to track the source of clogged materialin the submerged entry nozzle from Ti-ULC steel production. Results show a clear connection between inclusions resultingfrom deoxidation and the clogged layer in the SEN.

KW - clogging

KW - Non-metallic Inclusion

KW - Rare Earth Elements

KW - tracer

KW - rare earth fingerprint

KW - clogging

KW - Non-metallic Inclusion

KW - Rare Earth Elements

KW - Tracer

KW - rare earth fingerprint

U2 - 10.33313/531/010

DO - 10.33313/531/010

M3 - Conference contribution

SP - 88

EP - 94

BT - Proceedings ICS 2022, 8th International Congress on Science and Technology of Steelmaking

T2 - 8th International Congress on the Science and Technology of Steelmaking (ICS)

Y2 - 2 August 2022 through 4 August 2022

ER -