Effect of alloy addition on inclusion evolution in stainless steels

The number, morphology, size and composition of inclusions after deoxidation and alloying in Ti-stabilised stainless steel were investigated. This was carried out by electrolytic extraction of inclusions from steel matrix, followed by microscopic examination. It was found that after the addition of ferrosilicon and manganese, and later aluminium, the composition of inclusions changed from manganese silicate-rich inclusions to alumina-rich inclusions. After tapping and titanium wire feeding, three types of TiN inclusion morphologies were observed, single, twinned and clusters. Both the turbulence and Stokes' collision mechanisms play a considerable role in the formation of TiN clusters.