Origins of Non‐metallic Inclusions and their Chemical Development during Ladle Treatment

In the present work, steel, slag and refractory samples were taken from the ladle at OVAKO Steel in Hofors, Sweden. The steel samples were analysed in LOM, SEM and OES PDA. The chemical compositions of the inclusions were determined by EDS. According to the morphologies and compositions, the inclusions were classified into 5 different types, namely, (1) type‐1, alumina inclusions, (2) type‐2, calcium aluminate, (3) type‐3, spinel+calcium aluminate, (4) type‐4, calcium aluminate surrounded by a CaS shell, and (5) spinel+calcium aluminate surrounded by a CaS shell. Ladle glaze was found to be a major supplier of the inclusions, while the inclusions brought over from EAF could be another important source. The results of OES PDA showed that removal of inclusions took place mostly during the vacuum degassing period.