BEHAVIOR OF INCLUSIONS DURING ROLLING OF CONTINUOUSLY CAST BILLETS

Two main criteria are used to characterize steel cleanliness. First, t he number and size of inclusions must be at the minimum level achievab le with state-of-the-art steelmaking and casting equipment and procedu res. Second the remaining small inclusions must have a chemical compos ition suitable for the steel application. In high carbon steel destine d to wire drawing, inclusions need to be as deformable as possible. In this paper, the inclusion behaviour during hot rolling continuously c ast (c.c) billets to wire rods is reviewed. The relationship between i nclusion deformability and composition was investigated at the laborat ory scale and the results were applied to the control of cleanliness i n cc. billets. Production parameters affecting steel cleanliness are d iscussed.