Thermodynamic and Experimental Studies on Al Addition of 253MA Steel

To solve the nozzle clogging issue in the continuous casting process of 253MA steel, a method of modifying solid inclusions to liquid phases is proposed. The CALPHAD technique was employed to predict the liquid region of the Al2O3-SiO2-Ce2O3 system. Then a thermodynamic package based on the extracted data during the phase diagram optimization process was developed. This package was then used to compute the appropriate aluminum addition, which was 0.01% in 253MA steel. The Si-Al alloy was chosen as the deoxidant according to the thermodynamic analysis. The solid inclusions were ultimately modified to liquid phases at 1500 degrees C when cerium was added through the equilibrium experiments in a MoSi2 tube furnace.