Dominant mechanisms of melt decarburization in a circulation vacuum degasser leading to rational technological solutions for decreasing carbon content in steel below 0.002%

Abstract

The main mechanisms of carbon removal from the melt during circulation vacuum treatment have been identified. It has been shown that, at the initial stage of metal processing, the primary mechanism of decarburization is the formation of CO gas bubbles within the melt. As the carbon concentration decreases, the dominant mechanism shifts to carbon removal through gas injection. To achieve low carbon concentrations (below 0.002%), it is necessary to intensify the mechanisms of carbon removal and reduce the amount of carbon dissolving carbon from the lining of the steelmaking unit.