Effect of Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 –MnO inclusions on precipitation of MnS in Si–Mn-killed 304 stainless steels

Abstract

Laboratory experiments and thermodynamic calculation were conducted to investigate the precipitation of MnS inclusions in Si–Mn-killed 304 stainless steels with various Al and S concentrations. Three types of MnS-contained inclusions were detected: MnS phase dissolved in the MnO–SiO₂ inclusion, the Al₂O₃-rich core phase surrounded by a MnS out layer, and the individual MnS. In steel with less than 0.001% Al, the liquid SiO₂–MnO-rich inclusions can hardly influence the precipitation of MnS inclusions during the cooling process of 304 stainless steels. With the increase of Al in steel, more solid Al₂O₃-rich inclusions are formed, which can act as nucleation agents for MnS inclusions and dramatically promote the precipitation of MnS inclusions during the cooling process of Si–Mn-killed 304 stainless steels.