Evolution of Al2O3 inclusions by cerium treatment in low carbon high manganese steel

摘要

The influence of cerium(Ce)treatment on the morphologies,size and distributions of Al_2O_3 inclusions in low carbon high manganese steel was investigated by OM,SEM-EDS and theoretical calculation.The results showed that Ce can modify the morphologies and types of Al_2O_3 inclusions.After Ce treatment,the irregular Al_2O_3 inclusions were replaced by smaller and dispersive spherical cerium oxysulfides.The effects of treatment time and Ce content on the evolution of Al_2O_3 inclusions were examined.It indicated that Al_2O_3 inclusions were wrapped by rare earth inclusions to form a ring like shape Ce-enriched band around the inclusions.Model was established to elucidate the evolution mechanism of Al_2O_3 inclusions.Evolution kinetics of inclusions was discussed qualitatively to analyze the velocity controlled step.It was found that diffusion of Ce^(3+)and Al^(3+)in solid inclusion core and the formed intermediate layer would be the limited step during the evolution process.