Kinetic model of non-metallic inclusionsʹ precipitation during steel solidification

A numerical simulation which describes precipitation of non-metallic inclusions (liquid or solid oxides, nitrides) during steel solidification is proposed. Its aim is to predict the compositions and size distributions of these precipitates. The model takes into account microsegregation and includes homogeneous nucleation in the interdendritic liquid, and a mixed-controlled growth stage combining transport of solute elements in the boundary layer around precipitates and interfacial kinetics. We have observed that the calculated compositions of oxide inclusions differ from those of inclusions precipitating at equilibrium and are close to industrial observations on semi-killed steels.