Effect of substituting SiO 2 with TiO 2 on viscosity and crystallisation of mould flux for casting titanium stabilised stainless steel

Abstract

During casting of titanium stabilised stainless steel, a gradual increase in TiO₂ content in the molten mould slag from absorption of TiO₂ inclusions causes changes in properties of the mould flux, such as viscosity, solidification temperature and crystallisation behaviour. To simulate this effect mould fluxes were prepared with SiO₂ being substituted with 5 and 10%TiO₂ and viscosity and crystallisation behaviour studied. Experimental results indicate that the substitution of SiO₂ with TiO₂ leads to suppression of crystallisation of cuspidine and formation of perovskite in glass quenched from mould fluxes. The crystallisation tendency is reduced by the introduction of TiO₂. The high temperature viscosity of mould fluxes shows a decrease with increasing TiO₂. At lower temperature, the viscosity of mould fluxes with 10%TiO₂ is greater than that of TiO₂ free slag, which could be attributed to precipitation of solid particles.