Influence of Unstable Non-equilibrium Liquid Iron Oxide on Clustering of Alumina Particles in Steel

Alumina clusters extracted from molten steel and from a cast slab at our plant were analyzed by SEM and TEM. It was found that a small amount of liquid FeO could accelerate the clustering of alumina inclusions in aluminum-killed steel because of the strong liquid-capillary negative pressure of liquid FeO. The sources of the FeO are most likely oxygen contamination from ferroalloy additives, residual steel adhering to the refractory surfaces of ladles and vessels, and air entrainment.