GRAIN REFINEMENT OF FULLY AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEELS USING A Fe-Cr-Si-Ce MASTER ALLOY

摘要

Two different batches of S254-SMO austenitic stainless steels have been produced, one with addition of mischmetal (Ce+La), and one with addition of Ce only via a Fe-Cr-Si-Ce master alloy. Metallographic examination reveals that a substantial reduction in the dendrite arm spacing can be achieved in the latter case by promoting the formation of Ce-Al-oxide inclusions in the liquid steel prior to solidification, which have a good crystallographic compatibility with the austenite.