Computer Simulation of Microsegregation of Sulphur and Manganese and Formation of MnS Inclusions while Casting Rail Steel

The quality of rail steel is conditioned by its high mechanic qualities, which greatly depend on the presence of undesired nonmetallic inclusions. The paper is devoted to the segregation of components, mainly sulphur, and the formation of manganese sulphide in the process of steel solidification, at the casting rate of 100 and 500 K/min. Sulphur is a steel component which disadvantageously influences its numerous parameters. The oxide-sulphide and sulphide precipitations cause cracks and lower the strength of the material. This phenomenon was modeled with the use of author’s computer program based on Matsumiya interdendritic microsegregation model. The main assumptions of this model and thermodynamic conditions of inclusion formation during casting of steel are discussed in this paper. Two cases were analyzed: in the first one the MnS was assumed to form a pure and constant compound, whereas in the other one the manganese sulfide was precipitated as a component of a liquid oxide solution, and its activity was lower than unity. The final conclusion is that chemical composition of steel is the major parameter deciding about the formation of MnS inclusions.