Effect of Non-metallic Inclusions in Fe-Al-Ti-O-N-S Alloy on Grain Size

The effect of characteristics of non-metallic inclusions in Fe-Al-Ti-O-N-S alloys with various compositions at 1473 K (1200 °C) on the microstructure was studied. The ASTM grain size number was determined in as-cast and heated samples by the optical microscopy, and the inclusion types in each sample were determined from composition analysis by field-emission scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The TiN-based inclusions certainly had a positive effect on the grain refinement. On the other hand, TiS-based inclusions exhibited no influence on the decrease of grain size. In addition, the formation and evolution behavior of inclusions by heating solid-state Fe-Al-Ti-O-N-S alloys with those locations were clarified. A different change of inclusions in alloys was observed depending on the distribution and composition of inclusions.