CARBON SOLUTION IN LIQUID-IRON AND IRON-ALLOYS

The dissolution of carbon into liquid iron and iron alloys was investi gated using four independent experimental approaches, i.e., immersion of a graphite cylinder in a melt bath using an electric resistance fur nace, immersion of a coke particle in a melt bath using an induction f urnace, a molten droplet on a graphite plate using an induction furnac e and sliding a metal droplet down a graphite spiral in a resistance f urnace. The dissolution rate was analysed by assuming that this reacti on is governed by the diffusion of carbon from the carbon-metal interf ace to the bulk liquid metal through a boundary layer. The experimenta l results for each case were well interpreted by both concentration an d activity driven models. The variation in the carbon dissolution rate with the experimental method was explained by the Olsson relation or the penetration theory. An increase in carbon dissolution rate with te mperature was observed. The carbon dissolution rate into liquid Fe-C a lloy was not changed by addition of 1.9 wt% silicon to the melt, while a decrease in the dissolution rate of carbon was observed by adding 1 wt% sulfur to the melt.