Improving microstructure and segregation of steel ingot by inorganic heat absorption method

Abstract

A novel method by adding inorganic heat absorption material (IHAM) into the molten steel was proposed to improve the quality of large steel ingots. The IHAM was found to melt and float up after absorbing the heat of molten steel, stirring the melt and thus accelerating the cooling process. The molten steel was also purified as the inclusions were adsorbed during the floating of IHAM. The addition of IHAM rod was conducive to increase the equiaxed grain ratio (EGR) and alleviate the central carbon segregation, while the IHAM cored wire played a more important role in reducing the inclusion index. This method holds broad appeal to solidification of large steel ingot, as it can improve the microstructure of solidified ingot.