Abstract
The Al2O3, MnS, and TiN inclusions in bearing steel will deteriorate the steel’s mechanical properties. Therefore, elucidating detailed characteristics of these inclusions in consumable electrode during the electroslag remelting process is important for achieving a subsequently clean ingot. In this study, a confocal scanning violet laser microscope was used to simulate the remelting process and observe, in real time, the behaviors of inclusions. The obtained images show that, after the temperature exceeded the steel solidus temperature, MnS and TiN inclusions in the specimen began to dissolve. Higher temperatures led to faster dissolution, and the inclusions disappeared before the steel was fully liquid. In the case of an observed Al2O3 inclusion, its shape changed from angular to a smooth ellipsoid in the region where the solid and liquid coexisted and it began to dissolve as the temperature continued to increase. This dissolution was driven by the difference in oxygen potential between the inclusion and the liquid steel.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to express thanks for the helpful advice and editing work of Professor Bryan A. Webler at Carnegie Mellon University. This work was financially supported by the Key Technology Development of Bearing Steel for Major Equipment (No. 2012AA03A503).
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Yang, L., Cheng, Gg. Characteristics of Al2O3, MnS, and TiN inclusions in the remelting process of bearing steel. Int J Miner Metall Mater 24, 869–875 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1472-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1472-8