Grain refinement of electroslag remelted iron alloys

Abstract

Experiments on electroslag remelted ingots of ferrous materials are described, which show that the addition of TiB₂ particles via the slag layer produces a prolific grain-refinement action when the alloy solidifies to a bcc phase and when carbon is present. Subsequent experiments demonstrate that TiB₂ is not a nucleant, but that grain refinement seems to result from its solution, followed by the precipitation of TiC which is a nucleant. The B in solution may act to restrain grain growth, and possibly to increase constitutional undercooling, thereby increasing the rate of nucleation. Experiments to grain refine steels which solidified to anfcc structure were not successful.