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Inclusion modification by Calcium Treatment in Liquid Steel Processing
Calcium wire injection is widely used for modification of solid alumina inclusions to liquid or partially liquid calcium aluminate. Diffusion through a multi-phase product layer and mass transfer of solute through the boundary layer to the inclusion are taken into account in this model. It is assumed that outer surface of the inclusion is thermodynamically in equilibrium with the steel. The results show the mass transfer of calcium through the boundary layer and within the inclusion is complete in a matter of seconds.
At McPM we are conducting experiments to study modification of alumina inclusions by calcium treatment. The well controlled experimental conditions (steel chemistry, furnace atmosphere) and use of synthetic alumina inclusions count for uniqueness of our experiments. The basic idea is to intentionally introduce alumina inclusions of known size and morphology in the steel melt and investigate their modification by adding calcium. We have access to different inclusion analysis tools such as automated inclusion analysis ASPEX (service provided by ArcelorMittal Dofasco), Scanning Electron Microscope (at Canadian Center of Microscopy) and Electrolytic Extraction (at McMaster) to be used investigate inclusions’ characteristics. We believe that with our experimental techniques and inclusion analysis tools we can elucidate the inclusion evolution mechanism during calcium treatment of steel.
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