Study on Interaction between Lanthanum and Phosphor in Purity Steel

Using SEM and EDS some particles containing La and P were discovered in low oxygen and sulfur purity steel with lanthanum. In these particles low melting point elements such as As and Sb also were detected. According to the result of simulative calculation of segregation, it is shown that La and P enrich so strongly in the process of solidification that their concentrations can satisfy thermodynamic condition to forme LaP compound or meet the requirements to forme eutectic phase in the last stage of solidification. Therefore, the particles are concluded as LaP compound or eutectics, which exist on grain boundary mainly.