Effect of Molybdenum Content on the Corrosion and Microstructure of Low-Ni, Co-Free Maraging Steels

Molybdenum (Mo) is an important alloying element in maraging steels. In this study, we altered the Mo concentration during the production of four cobalt-free maraging steels using an electroslag refining process. The microstructure of the four forged maraging steels was evaluated to examine phase contents by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Additionally, we assessed the corrosion resistance of the newly developed alloys in 3.5% NaCl solution and 1 M H2SO4 solution through potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Furthermore, we performed SEM and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis after corrosion to assess changes in microstructure and Raman spectroscopy to identify the presence of phases on the electrode surface. The microstructural analysis shows that the formation of retained austenite increases with increasing Mo concentrations. It is found from corrosion study that increasing Mo concentration up to 4.6% increased the corrosion resistance of the steel. However, further increase in Mo concentration reduces the corrosion resistance.

Study on the burn-out of Ti and Al elements in the electroslag refining process

In this paper the burn-out of the alloying elements Ti, Al in the electroslag refining was studied. The experiment was conducted on laboratory scale electroslag refining (ERS) equipment, the steel grades used in the study contain Ti and Al alloy elements. Experimental results showed that the burn-out ratio of Ti and Al in ESR was quite high. To minimize that ratio, it was possible to apply technological measures such as: using protective gas and selecting of an appropriate slag system, as well as combining additives containing Ti and Al for slag in the refining process. When applying these measures, the burning level of Ti and Al has decreased significantly compared to the previous one (from > 50 % to below 20 %). Especially in case of using the ANF-32 slag + 10 % TiO2 and conducting the operation of ESR under the Ar gas environment, the burn-out ratio of these alloy elements exhibited a negative value.

Mass Transfer in Electroslag Processes with Consumable Electrode and Liquid Metal

Experimental and numerical comparisons of mass transfer processes during the electroslag remelting with consumable electrode (ESR) and electroslag refining with liquid metal (ESR LM) showed their identical refining capacity, despite the smaller both the slag–metal contact surface (twice) and metal overheat (by 70–95 K) in the latter case. As revealed, due to effect of metal movement inside the liquid metal drop, it moves in liquid slag faster than a solid particle of the same diameter. Under comparable conditions, it is experimentally confirmed that desulphurization at the ESR takes place mainly on the contact surface between the slag and metal baths, but not in the liquid metal film at the tip of a consumable electrode.

Effect of Electroslag Refining on Cleanness, Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Newly Developed CrNiMoWMnV Ultrahigh-Strength Steel

The cleanness, microstructure and mechanical properties of a newly developed CrNiMoWMnV ultrahigh-strength steel with and without electroslag refining (ESR) with 70% CaF2, 15% Al2O3 and 15% CaO have been studied. This steel was designed and melted in an air induction furnace followed by refining using ESR. Cast ingots with and without ESR were forged at temperatures in the range 1100 - 950 °C. Laser scanning confocal microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy electron back scattering diffraction, electron probe microanalysis and X-ray diffraction have been used to investigate the microstructure and non-metallic inclusions (NMIs) of forged ingots produced with and without ESR. Hardness, tensile and Charpy-V impact tests were performed. ESR reduced the total impurity level i.e. O%+ N%+ S% by 26 % and the area fractions and numbers of NMIs by 17% and 7% respectively. The NMIs are classified into four major classes: oxides, sulphides, nitrides and complex multiphase inclusions. The microstructure of the forged and air-cooled bars consisted of martensite with a small fraction of distributed retained austenite, a very small fraction of bainite and finely distributed precipitates. The reduction of impurity levels combined with the microstructural changes brought about by the changes in the chemical composition meant that ESR resulted in a significant improvement in some mechanical properties and a marginal improvement in others.