The influence of non-metallic inclusions on the machinability of 20MnVS6 steel was investigated.
As-rolled samples of seven industrial batches of steel were tested for machinability with the V15 test. Automatic inclusion analysis with an EDS-equipped scanning electron microscope, determination inclusion content with SEM, metallographic analysis with an optical microscope, hardness testing and EDS analysis of characteristic inclusions was performed. Total oxygen samples were taken after secondary refining of steel in the ladle furnace. Automatic analysis of tundish lollipop samples was performed.
It was determined that inclusion content in as-rolled samples correlates well with total oxygen content in melt samples from the ladle furnace. Machinability index V15 decreases with an increase in CaS content in inclusions in as rolled and lollipop samples. This was attributed to a reaction of calcium from the modified calcium-aluminate inclusions with sulfur from the steel melt during solidification. Machinability index V15 increases with total oxygen content in melt samples from the ladle furnace. CaS content in as-rolled and lollipop samples decreases with increasing total oxygen content in ladle furnace samples.
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