Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Novel Method to Measure Cleanliness in Steel Using Ultrasonic C-Scan Image Analysis

  • Published:
Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The traditional method of measuring the cleanliness level of steel is to measure its total oxygen (TO), which does not provide information about the size, location, and distribution of more harmful macroinclusions. The present article highlights a novel method for cleanliness assessment in steel samples using ultrasonic C-scan image analysis. The method provides quick and large volume inspection and ability to catch macroinclusions that possess difficulty during further processing of the thin gage steel products, particularly for auto grades such as interstitial-free (IF) steel. This method deals with a multiscan, immersion ultrasonic system using high-frequency focused beam and image analysis software. A good correlation was found between ultrasonic parameter counts and TO in steel samples taken from tundish during the continuous casting of slab. The ultrasonic counts were also found to be correlated with some steelmaking parameters.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. LECO is a trademark of LECO Corporation, St. Joseph, MI.

Abbreviations

SNR:

signal-to-noise ratio

H s, H n :

signal and noise amplitudes, respectively

S a , S f :

probe and flaw/inclusion areas, respectively

d :

distance of the flaw/inclusion from the probe

w :

Wavelength of ultrasound

τ :

pulse height

δ s :

scatter coefficient, a function of wavelength of ultrasound and grain size of matrix material

η :

directional pattern, a function of wavelength and crystal size of the probe

f :

frequency of ultrasound

V :

velocity of propagated sound wave

f op :

optimum frequency

d s :

diameter of spherical reflector

R :

reflection coefficient of ultrasonic energy at the interface of two media

Z 1 :

acoustic impedance of medium 1

Z 2 :

acoustic impedance of medium 2

D :

mean scatterer diameter

α rs :

ultrasonic Rayleigh scattering losses

α ss :

ultrasonic stochastic scattering losses

α ds :

ultrasonic diffusion scattering losses

K rs :

ultrasonic Rayleigh scattering constant

K ss :

ultrasonic stochastic scattering constant

K ds :

ultrasonic diffusion scattering constant

S w :

water path

S f :

focal distance in water

S m :

sound path in test material

C w :

sound velocity in water

C m :

sound velocity in test material

v :

upward velocity due to density differences between steel and inclusion

g :

gravitational acceleration

μ Fe :

dynamic viscosity of steel

ρ Fe :

density of inclusion

r :

radius of the floating particle (inclusion)

RH:

Ruhrstahl Heraeus

SEM:

scanning electron microscopy

EDS:

energy-dispersive spectroscopy

TO:

total oxygen

MIDAS:

Mannesmann inclusion detection by analysis of surfboards

LSHR:

liquid sampling hot rolling

References

  1. C. Bonila: Steelmaking Conf. Proc., ISS, Warrendale PA, 1995, vol. 78, p. 743

  2. L. Zhang, B.G. Thomas, X. Wang, and K. Cai: Steelmaking Conf. Proc., ISS, Warrendale PA, 2002, vol. 85, pp. 431–52

  3. T.K. Roy, J.C. Pandey, S. Banerjee, P. Srinivas, S. Dhar, and T. Venugopalan: Tata Search, 2008, vol. 2, pp. 335–39

    Google Scholar 

  4. H. Jacobi and K. Wunnenberg: Ironmaking and Steelmaking, 2003, vol. 30, pp. 130–41

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. T. Sjökvist, M. Göransson, P. Jönsson, and P. Cowx: Ironmaking and Steelmaking, 2003, vol. 30, pp. 73–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. J.C. Pandey and M. Raj: Ironmaking and Steelmaking, 2007, vol. 34, pp. 482–90

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. I.N. Eromolov and B.P. Pilim: NDT Int., 1976, vol. 9, pp. 275–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. ASNT Handbook, vol. 7, Ultrasonic Testing, American Society for Nondestructive Testing Inc., Columbus, OH, pp. 390–91

  9. M. Darmon, P. Calmon, and B. Bèle: Ultrasonics, 2004, vol. 42, pp. 237–41

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. ASNT Handbook, vol. 7, Ultrasonic Testing, American Society for Nondestructive Testing Inc., Columbus, OH, 1991, p. 262

  11. V.H. Tapia, R.D. Morales, J. Camacho, and G. Lugo: 79th Steelmaking Conf. Proc., ISS, Warrendale, PA, 1996, vol. 79, pp. 539–47

  12. Y. Miki and B.G. Thomas: Metall. Mater. Trans. B, 1999, vol. 30B, pp. 639–54

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. K.W. Lange: Int. Mater. Rev., 1988, vol. 33, pp. 53–89

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the management of Tata Steel for giving permission to publish this work. Thanks are also due to Mr. Shekhar Banerjee, Dr. P. Srinivas, and Mr. Sanjay Dhar for their help in getting samples and analysis work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tata Steel Ltd, Jamshedpur, 831007, India

    J.C. Pandey (Researcher), Manish Raj (Researcher), T.K. Roy (Head, Casting Technology, Steelmaking Technology Group) & T. Venugopalan (Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Authors
  1. J.C. Pandey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Manish Raj
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T.K. Roy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. T. Venugopalan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J.C. Pandey.

Additional information

Manuscript submitted November 14, 2007.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pandey, J., Raj, M., Roy, T. et al. A Novel Method to Measure Cleanliness in Steel Using Ultrasonic C-Scan Image Analysis. Metall Mater Trans B 39, 439–446 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-008-9146-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-008-9146-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation