Rapid Evaluation of Inclusion in Steel by Use of Cold Crucible Levitation Melting

Rapid evaluation method of inclusions in steel by use of cold crucible levitation melting has been developed. More than 70% of inclusions in steel were concentrated in surface layer of 70 μm thick by cold crucible melting in 5 min. Size distributions of alumina and slag type inclusions, and component of slag type inclusions were not remarkably changed by the fusion. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) with energy dispersive detection and fundamental parameter technique were employed to assess steel cleanliness rapidly. Indices of content could be obtained by XRF for alumina and slag type inclusions, respectively. Analytical time of 2.5 min was achieved when the sample was rotated during the measurement.