Sulfur and manganese formation modelling during continuous casting of converter rail steel

Rail steel production in oxygen converters is of particular interest nowadays. High requirements are imposed upon rail steel quality. The current work deals with one of the most important factors influencing the formation of manganese sulfide in converter rail steel. The thermodynamic calculations of rail steel crystallization at the cooling rate of 100 K/min. are given in the work. Computer simulation results are presented as graphs showing the separation of components, as well as curves showing the process of nonmetallic inclusions formation. It has been determined that chemical composition is the most important factor in the formation of non-metallic inclusions. Materials used for the rail steel production must meet the highest requirements as to the properties of materials, shape and durability. Non-metallic inclusions are one of the factors negatively influencing the strength of rail steel. The manganese sulfide precipitates during steel solidification as a result of segregation processes on the solidification front. One of the factors influencing the strength parameters of rail steel is sulphur, i.e. the main component of MnS. Sulphur is commonly considered to be a negative element in steel, except for the situation when it is purposefully added to improve its machinability. Computer simulation and theoretical analysis methods were used in this work. Computer simulation with the use of non-commercial software was used for the calculation of manganese and sulfur segregation in liquid steel during solidification