Behavior of Inclusions in Process of Solid Growth During Solidification of Fe-0.15C-0.8Mn Steel Original Research Article

The behavior of inclusions in the process of δ-phase growth during the solidification of Fe-0. 15C-0. 8Mn steel was in-situ observed using a high-temperature confocal scanning laser microscope (HTCSLM). The results show that inclusions arrive the S/L (solid/liquid) interface by way of direct impact or gradual drift, when the cell spacing is approximately equal to 177 μm during the growth of cellular δ-phase. The inclusions easily stay at the positions of trailing vortex formed by the circumferential motion of molten steel around δ-phase. Some inclusions reaching the S/L interface are captured by the solid-phase. Some of them move along the normal direction of the S/L interface because of pushing of solid-phase, and the others get away from the S/L interface after being pushed for a distance. The faster the growth rates of the solid-phase are, the easier the inclusions are captured by the S/L interface. The slower the growth rates of the solid-phase are, the easier the inclusions move with the S/L interface.