Inclusion degeneration and resultant coarsening in a Ce-treated 9% Cr heat-resistant steel during electroslag remelting
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The evolution of inclusions in a 12-ton Ce-treated 9%Cr martensitic heat-resistant steel during vacuum induction melting and electroslag remelting was investigated. The addition of Ce in VIM converted Al 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 ·SiO 2 inclusions into finer Ce 2 O 3 and Ce 2 O 2 S, reducing the average inclusion size from 2.29 μm to 2.01 μm. However, the reaction between dissolved Ce and slag Al 2 O 3 during ESR caused a significant decrease in Ce content and degenerated the inclusions into CeAlO 3 , leading to the coarsening of inclusions. Thermodynamic calculations using the Ion-Molecule Coexistence Theory showed that reducing Al 2 O 3 content in slag while increasing Ce 2 O 3 content can partially suppress the reaction between Ce and Al 2 O 3 , thereby mitigating Ce oxidation during ESR. Based on FactSage simulations, maintaining Ce content between 0.005 and 0.02 wt% in the ESR ingot is essential to avoid the formation of harmful inclusions such as CeAlO 3 and Al 2 O 3 .
Authors: Shijun Wang, Gen Li, Zaoyu Li, Peng Xu, Huasong Liu, Lei Jia, Xikou He, Zhengdong Liu
Institution: China Iron and Steel Research Institute Group
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,640
Award: G7801610346
OpenAlex ID: W4415534546