Effect of Solute Content and Solidification Rate on the Microsegregation of Carbon Steels

Abstract

Casting conditions of continuous casting process especially a solidification rate and a temperature gradient, were reproduced using unidirectional solidification. Contour profiles of solutes in the solidified samples were traced with an electron probe microanalyser (EPMA). A new evaluation method was employed to describe solute distribution in a dendrite. To account for the influences of solid state diffusion and δ/γ transformation on the microsegregation of solutes, numerical analysis was carried out. Results of the analysis were compared with measured one. Considering δ/γ transformation and diffusion of solutes in a solid phase during and after solidification, the influences of carbon concentration and solidification rate on the microsegregation of manganese were discussed quantitatively.