U.S. patent application number 15/382877 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-22 for argon oxygen decarburization refining method for molten austenitic stainless steel.
The applicant listed for this patent is POSCO. Invention is credited to Sang Hoon KIM, Cheol Min PARK, Sung Jin PARK.
Application Number | 20170175212 15/382877 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59065037 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170175212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARK; Sung Jin ; et
al. |
June 22, 2017 |
ARGON OXYGEN DECARBURIZATION REFINING METHOD FOR MOLTEN AUSTENITIC
STAINLESS STEEL
Abstract
An argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) refining method for molten
austenitic stainless steel includes, preparing molten austenitic
stainless steel in an electric arc furnace, pouring the molten
austenitic stainless steel into an AOD refining furnace by
adjusting a carbon concentration of the molten austenitic stainless
steel to 2.0 wt % to 2.5 wt %, decarburizing the poured molten
austenitic stainless steel by blowing oxygen (O.sub.2) and argon
(Ar) thereinto, and reduction-decarburizing the decarburized molten
austenitic stainless steel by blowing argon (Ar) thereinto.
Inventors: |
PARK; Sung Jin; (Pohang-si,
KR) ; PARK; Cheol Min; (Pohang-si, KR) ; KIM;
Sang Hoon; (Pohang-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
POSCO |
Pohang-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
59065037 |
Appl. No.: |
15/382877 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C22C 38/58 20130101;
C21C 5/35 20130101; C22C 38/02 20130101; C22C 38/04 20130101; C21C
5/005 20130101; C21C 2300/08 20130101; C22C 38/44 20130101; C21C
5/5252 20130101; C22C 38/001 20130101; C22C 38/004 20130101; C21C
7/072 20130101; C21C 7/0685 20130101; C22C 38/002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C21C 7/068 20060101
C21C007/068; C21C 5/00 20060101 C21C005/00; C21C 7/072 20060101
C21C007/072; C22C 38/00 20060101 C22C038/00; C22C 38/44 20060101
C22C038/44; C22C 38/04 20060101 C22C038/04; C22C 38/02 20060101
C22C038/02; C21C 5/52 20060101 C21C005/52; C22C 38/58 20060101
C22C038/58 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0183587 |
Claims
1. An argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) refining method for molten
austenitic stainless steel comprising: preparing molten austenitic
stainless steel in an electric arc furnace; pouring the molten
austenitic stainless steel into an AOD refining furnace by
adjusting a carbon concentration of the molten austenitic stainless
steel to 2.0 wt % to 2.5 wt %; decarburizing the poured molten
austenitic stainless steel by blowing oxygen (O.sub.2) and argon
(Ar) thereinto; and reduction-decarburizing the decarburized molten
austenitic stainless steel by blowing argon (Ar) thereinto.
2. The AOD refining method for molten austenitic stainless steel of
claim 1, wherein the reduction-decarburizing is performed under
conditions in which a flow rate of the argon is 50 Nm.sup.3/min to
55 Nm.sup.3/min.
3. The AOD refining method for molten austenitic stainless steel of
claim 1, wherein the decarburizing is performed by gradually
reducing a flow rate of the oxygen and by gradually increasing a
flow rate of the argon.
4. The AOD refining method for molten austenitic stainless steel of
claim 3, wherein an initial flow rate of the oxygen is 140
Nm.sup.3/min to 170 Nm.sup.3/min.
5. The AOD refining method for molten austenitic stainless steel of
claim 1, wherein a nitrogen concentration of the molten austenitic
stainless steel after the reduction-decarburizing is 75 ppm or
less.
6. The AOD refining method for molten austenitic stainless steel of
claim 1, wherein a component of the molten austenitic stainless
steel after the reduction-decarburizing includes, by wt %, C:
0.003% to 0.16%, Si: 0.2% to 0.7%, Mn: 1.0% to 5.0%, P: 0.03% or
less, S: 0.02% or less, Cr: 16% to 18%, Ni: 7% to 9%, Mo: 0.001% to
0.200%, N: 75 ppm by weight or less, iron (Fe) as a remainder
thereof, and other unavoidable impurities.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority and benefit of Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2015-0183587, filed on Dec. 22, 2015, in
the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an argon oxygen
decarburization (AOD) refining method for molten austenitic
stainless steel.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Stainless steel is commonly manufactured using a strip
casting method, and thus, manufacturing costs may be reduced, in
comparison with a slab casting method. There are also the
advantages of suppressing a precipitation phase by rapid
solidification, and having an excellent slab internal quality due
to inclusion refinement or the like. As a result, demand therefor
has been increasing.
[0004] However, to improve workability of a final product of a
stainless steel grade, levels of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in
molten steel should be managed to be low.
[0005] By managing levels of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) to be low,
yield strength of stainless steel can be reduced and formability
thereof can be improved. When yield strength of stainless steel is
reduced, a springback phenomenon is reduced and workability such as
bending or the like is increased. Therefore, stainless steel can be
used for various purposes in an electronic product such as an air
conditioner pipe, or the like.
[0006] In a case of ferritic stainless steel formed using vacuum
oxygen decarburization (VOD), since the atmosphere is controlled to
have a low partial pressure by vacuum equipment, decarburizing
efficiency is improved due to O.sub.2 and Ar blowing, ingress of
air is blocked, and nitrogen is controlled. Therefore, in the case
of ferritic stainless steel, the content of carbon and nitrogen in
steel can be significantly reduced.
[0007] On the other hand, in the case of austenitic stainless steel
formed using only argon oxygen decarburization (AOD), there may be
limitations to reducing the content of carbon and nitrogen.
[0008] (Prior art document) Patent Document 1: Korea Patent
Application No. 2009-0128466
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0009] An aspect of the present disclosure may provide an argon
oxygen decarburization (AOD) refining method for molten austenitic
stainless steel and, more particularly, to an argon oxygen
decarburization (AOD) refining method capable of reducing carbon
and nitrogen in molten austenitic stainless steel in AOD
refinement.
[0010] On the other hand, the objective of the present disclosure
is not limited to the above description. The objective of the
present disclosure maybe understood from the content of the present
specification. Those skilled in the art have no difficulty in
understanding additional objectives of the present disclosure.
Technical Solution
[0011] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an argon
oxygen decarburization (AOD) refining method for molten austenitic
stainless steel includes: preparing molten austenitic stainless
steel in an electric arc furnace; pouring the molten austenitic
stainless steel into an AOD refining furnace by adjusting a carbon
concentration of the molten austenitic stainless steel to 2.0 wt %
to 2.5 wt %; decarburizing the poured molten austenitic stainless
steel by blowing oxygen (O.sub.2) and argon (Ar) thereinto; and
reduction-decarburizing the decarburized molten austenitic
stainless steel by blowing argon (Ar) thereinto.
[0012] The reduction-decarburizing may be performed under
conditions in which a flow rate of Ar is 50 Nm.sup.3/min to 55
Nm.sup.3/min.
[0013] The decarburizing may be performed by gradually reducing a
flow rate of the oxygen and gradually increasing a flow rate of the
argon.
[0014] An initial flow rate of the oxygen may be 140 Nm.sup.3/min
to 170 Nm.sup.3/min.
[0015] A nitrogen concentration of the molten austenitic stainless
steel after the reduction-decarburizing maybe 75 ppm or less.
[0016] A component of the molten austenitic stainless steel after
the reduction-decarburizing includes, by wt %, C: 0.003% to 0.16%,
Si: 0.2% to 0.7%, Mn: 1.0% to 5.0%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.02% or
less, Cr: 16% to 18%, Ni: 7% to 9%, Mo: 0.001% to 0.200%, N: 75 ppm
by weight or less, iron (Fe) as a remainder thereof, and other
unavoidable impurities.
[0017] In addition, the solution to the problems described above
does not list all features of the present disclosure. Various
features, advantages, and effects of the present disclosure can be
understood in more detail with reference to the following specific
embodiments.
Advantageous Effects
[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment in the present
disclosure, an AOD refining method capable of reducing carbon and
nitrogen of molten austenitic stainless steel in AOD refining, may
be provided.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional
stainless steel manufacturing process.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating a change in yield strength
according to the content of C+N in austenitic stainless steel
(304J1).
[0021] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating a change in a critical carbon
concentration according to CO partial pressure in stainless steel
in which the content of Cr is 18%.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional
denitrification reaction mechanism.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a graph comparing AOD tapping nitrogen
concentrations for each casting number according to a result in
which an inventive example and a comparative example are applied to
actual refining.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a graph comparing AOD tapping carbon
concentrations for each casting number according to a result in
which an inventive example and a comparative example are applied to
actual refining.
BEST MODE FOR INVENTION
[0025] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described. The disclosure may, however, be exemplified in
many different forms and should not be construed as being limited
to the specific embodiments set forth herein. Embodiments of the
present disclosure are also provided to more fully describe the
present disclosure to those skilled in the art.
[0026] The inventors recognize that there may be limitations to
reducing the content of carbon and nitrogen on austenitic stainless
steel formed using only argon oxygen decarburization (AOD), and
have conducted research in order to solve this problem.
[0027] As a result, in the case that conditions of an AOD process
are properly controlled, it is confirmed that carbon and nitrogen
concentrations are efficiently reduced in molten steel, thereby
completing an exemplary embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional
process of manufacturing stainless steel. Molten metal melted in an
electric arc furnace (EAF), that is, molten metal in EAF, is tapped
to a charging ladle, and the charging ladle is tilted to remove a
portion of slag floating on an upper part of the molten metal. In
addition, after residual remaining slag is removed, the molten
metal in EAF is poured into a refining furnace. In molten steel, in
order to remove carbon in an argon oxygen decarburization (AOD)
refining furnace, oxygen and argon gases are blown into the molten
steel to perform decarburization. The molten steel passes through a
further reduction process for chrome and iron oxides generated in
the case of the decarburization. In a ladle treatment (LT) process
for adjusting molten steel, fine component adjustment, molten steel
temperature homogenization, and bottom bubbling (B/B) for improving
a quality of molten steel may be performed.
[0029] To improve workability of a final product, levels of carbon
(C) and nitrogen (N) in molten steel are required to be low. When
yield strength of stainless steel is reduced, a springback
phenomenon is reduced and workability such as bending or the like
is increased. Therefore, it has the advantage of being used for
various purposes in an electronic product such as an air
conditioner pipe or the like. In detail, an influence of nitrogen
(N) with respect to material softening is significantly great,
whereby management with respect to nitrogen is important.
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a change in yield strength according to
the content of C+N in austenitic stainless steel 304J1. When the
content of C+N is reduced by 100 ppm, yield strength tends to be
reduced by about 6 MPa to 7 MPa. When yield strength is maintained
at a level of about 200 MPa or less, a material has further
softening properties. Therefore, the material may be applied to a
part requiring high softening properties such as an air conditioner
pipe. In detail, carbon is required to be tapped after being
removed through a sufficient decarburizing operation during an AOD
process, and nitrogen is required to be tapped after being
sufficiently removed through denitrification promoting and
absorption preventing operations during an AOD process.
[0031] In addition, KA4 to KA7 denote a sample number (No.). KA6
and KA7 are values obtained through an argon oxygen decarburization
(AOD) process. KA4 and KA5 are values obtained through a vacuum
oxygen decarburization (VOD) process. The AOD process is confirmed
to be limited to reducing the concentration of C+N.
[0032] Hereinafter, an AOD refining method for molten austenitic
stainless steel according to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment
will be described in detail.
[0033] An AOD refining method for molten austenitic stainless steel
according to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment includes:
preparing molten austenitic stainless steel in an electric arc
furnace; pouring the molten austenitic stainless steel into an
argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) refining furnace by adjusting a
carbon concentration of the molten austenitic stainless steel to
2.0 wt % to 2.5 wt %; decarburizing the poured molten austenitic
stainless steel by blowing oxygen (O.sub.2) and argon (Ar); and
reduction-decarburizing the decarburized molten austenitic
stainless steel by blowing argon (Ar).
[0034] Molten Steel Inputting Operation
[0035] An electric arc furnace, molten austenitic stainless steel
is prepared, and a carbon concentration of the molten austenitic
stainless steel is adjusted to 2.0 wt % to 2.5 wt % to pour the
molten austenitic stainless steel into an argon oxygen
decarburization (AOD) refining furnace.
[0036] To remove nitrogen dissolved in steel during AOD refining, a
nitrogen gas emission capacity upwards a ladle is required to be
improved. A conventional denitrification reaction mechanism is
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0037] 1) Each nitrogen atom inside a liquid is moved in an
unspecified direction, but the entirety thereof is moved toward an
interface. 2) The nitrogen atom moved toward the interface is
absorbed at the interface. 3) Nitrogen atoms absorbed at the
interface collide with each other. 4) The collided nitrogen atoms
become nitrogen molecules (N.sub.2), and are moved from an
interface of a liquid layer to an interface of a gas layer. 5)
N.sub.2 moved toward the interface of the gas layer becomes a gas
to be moved toward a vapor layer.
[0038] In general, operation 4) in which a nitrogen molecule
(N.sub.2) is generated in a denitrification reaction is a rate
limiting operation. In detail, an operation in which a nitrogen
atom is moved to a reaction interface to generate a molecule at a
low nitrogen concentration is the rate limiting operation, and
thus, a CO, CO.sub.2 or Ar bubble serves to move a nitrogen atom
toward a reaction interface, thereby promoting molecule
generation.
[0039] To move a nitrogen atom toward a reaction interface by a CO,
CO.sub.2 or Ar bubble, a generation amount of CO gas generated by
blowing oxygen through a top lance in an upper part of a refining
furnace and through a tuyere pipe in a lower part thereof, during
refining decarburization is required to be increased.
[0040] CO gas generated by a chemical reaction in steel rises to an
interface. In this case, a gas flow, in which nitrogen atoms inside
molten steel are absorbed by the CO gas and the CO gas rises to an
interface, is generated. As a result, a nitrogen atom is moved to
an interfacial layer to remove nitrogen. To this end, a carbon
concentration of molten steel is adjusted to 2.0 wt % to 2.5 wt %
higher than a conventional carbon concentration to pour the molten
steel into an argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) refining furnace,
thereby increasing an amount of CO gas to reduce nitrogen in
steel.
[0041] In a case in which the carbon concentration is less than 2.0
wt %, a generated amount of CO gas is insufficient, whereby a
nitrogen reduction effect may be insufficient. On the other hand,
in a case in which the carbon concentration exceeds 2.5 wt %, the
carbon concentration is significantly high when tapping, whereby
yield strength of a final product is increased. Thus, it is
preferable that the carbon concentration is 2.0 wt % to 2.5 wt
%.
[0042] As an electric arc furnace tapping carbon concentration is
increased, a larger amount of CO gas may be generated as described
later. Decarburizing is performed from a refining furnace initial
carbon concentration to a critical carbon concentration for each
operation by direct decarburizing caused by the reaction of
[C]+[O]=CO(g) and indirect decarburizing caused by the reaction of
Cr.sub.2O.sub.3+3[C]=2[Cr]+3CO (g), due to O.sub.2 injected through
a top lance in the upper part of a refining furnace. When a carbon
concentration reaches a critical carbon concentration and
decarburizing efficiency is decreased, an injected concentration of
oxygen is adjusted to increase decarburizing efficiency, and thus,
a carbon concentration is gradually reduced, thereby lowering a
critical carbon concentration in a next operation. In general,
through a first blowing operation to a fifth blowing operation or
further in a decarburizing operation, a flow rate of oxygen is
gradually reduced and a flow rate of argon is gradually increased
to perform decarburization, and thus, carbon may be effectively
removed while oxidation of chrome is suppressed. Therefore, after
AOD refining, when tapping, the content of carbon in molten steel
may be lowered.
[0043] Decarburizing Operation
[0044] Oxygen (O.sub.2) and argon (Ar) are blown into the poured
molten austenitic stainless steel to decarburize the molten
austenitic stainless steel.
[0045] Decarburization refining in stainless steel denotes that
decarburization is effectively performed while oxidation of Cr
having high oxidative power while being relatively expensive is
suppressed. In general, in a decarburization reaction of molten
steel containing Cr, oxygen blown into molten steel oxidizes Cr
first, and decarburization is performed by the medium of an oxide
thereof. Specific reactions proceed according to Relational
expressions.
[C]+[O]=CO(g)
2[Cr]+3[O]=Cr.sub.2O.sub.3
Cr.sub.2O.sub.3+3[C]=2[Cr]+3CO(g)
K = a [ Cr ] 2 P CO 3 a Cr 2 O 3 a [ C ] 3 ##EQU00001## log
K=-40,990/T+25.83
Here, a.sub.i: activity of I component, K: equilibrium constant and
Pco: partial pressure of CO gas.
[0046] In this case, the decarburization operation may be performed
by gradually reducing a flow rate of the oxygen, and gradually
increasing a flow rate of the argon.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, a graph illustrating a change in a
critical carbon concentration according to CO partial pressure in
stainless steel in which the content of Cr is 18%, a critical
carbon concentration may be expressed as a function of CO partial
pressure, activity of Cr (concentration of Cr), and a temperature.
As seen in FIG. 3, at the higher temperature, the lower CO partial
pressure, and the lower chrome concentration, a critical carbon
concentration is lowered.
[0048] In other words, as carbon is removed from molten steel, an
equilibrium chrome concentration is reduced. Chrome in the molten
steel does not present above an equilibrium concentration, and
thus, chrome is oxidized at high speed. When a temperature is
increased or CO partial pressure is reduced, an equilibrium carbon
concentration is lowered at the same chrome concentration. Thus,
while oxidation of chrome is suppressed, carbon may be effectively
removed.
[0049] Thus, a method for lowering CO partial pressure is to
significantly increase efficiency of CO gas reaction by adjusting
an amount of O.sub.2 reacting with carbon by properly controlling a
ratio of O.sub.2 and Ar gases, and optimizing emission of CO gas
upwardly by adjusting an injection amount of Ar.
[0050] In a decarburizing operation, decarburization is performed
by gradually reducing a flow rate of oxygen and gradually
increasing a flow rate of argon, thereby effectively lowering CO
partial pressure. Thus, as an equilibrium carbon concentration is
lowered at the same chrome concentration, carbon may be effectively
removed while oxidation of chrome is suppressed.
[0051] For example, as described below, in a first blowing
operation to a fifth blowing operation in a decarburization
operation, decarburization is performed by gradually reducing a
flow rate of oxygen and gradually increasing a flow rate of argon,
thereby effectively removing carbon while oxidation of chrome is
suppressed.
[0052] First blowing operation O.sub.2:Ar=150 Nm.sup.3/min :20
Nm.sup.3/min, critical carbon concentration 0.35 wt %
[0053] Second blowing operation O.sub.2:Ar=60 Nm.sup.3/min :20
Nm.sup.3/min, critical carbon concentration 0.20 wt %
[0054] Third blowing operation O.sub.2:Ar=45 Nm.sup.3/min :45
Nm.sup.3/min, critical carbon concentration 0.10 wt %
[0055] Fourth blowing operation O.sub.2:Ar=20 Nm.sup.3/min :60
Nm.sup.3/min, critical carbon concentration 0.05 wt %
[0056] Fifth blowing operation O.sub.2:Ar=12 Nm.sup.3/min :48
Nm.sup.3/min, critical carbon concentration 0.01 wt %
[0057] In addition, to lower Pco according to [C]% during blowing,
an amount of inert gas is required to be increased. For inert gas,
Ar may be used, but relatively inexpensive N.sub.2 may be used as
long as it is no defective in terms of quality. However, in an
exemplary embodiment, to lower yield strength and increase
formability and workability, the content of C+N is required to be
significantly reduced. Thus, Ar is used for inert gas.
[0058] It is preferable that an initial flow rate of the oxygen is
140 Nm.sup.3/min to 170 Nm.sup.3/min.
[0059] In a case in which an initial flow rate of the oxygen is
less than 140 Nm.sup.3/min, a problem in which decarburizing
efficiency is low may occur. In a case in which an initial flow
rate of the oxygen exceeds 170 Nm.sup.3/min, oxygen may remain in
molten steel to generate an oxide (inclusion), thereby causing
degradation of a quality.
[0060] Reduction-Decarburization Operation
[0061] Argon (Ar) is blown into the decarburized molten austenitic
stainless steel to perform reduction-decarburization, so as to
further reduce chrome and iron oxides generated in the
decarburization operation.
[0062] In this case, the reduction-decarburization may be performed
under conditions in which a flow rate of Ar is 50 Nm.sup.3/min to
55 Nm.sup.3/min. Ar gas in reduction-decarburization serves to move
a nitrogen atom to a reaction interface as described above.
[0063] As a flow rate of Ar is controlled to 50 Nm.sup.3/min to 55
Nm.sup.3/min, higher than a conventional flow rate thereof, a
nitrogen atom is absorbed onto a surface of bubble of Ar, inert
gas, to move a nitrogen atom to a reaction interface, thereby
promoting molecularization of nitrogen to effectively reduce
nitrogen.
[0064] In a case in which a flow rate of Ar is less than 50
Nm.sup.3/min, a nitrogen reduction effect is insufficient.
[0065] As described above, Ar injection is the principle of
removing nitrogen by flow of a bubble in an upward direction by
allowing nitrogen molecules contained in molten steel to be easily
absorbed in Ar bubble while Ar is injected through a pipe in a
lower part of an AOD refining furnace. In a case in which a flow
rate of Ar is excessively high, as the flow of bubble coming up
from the lower part is strong, molten steel in an upper part
thereof and slag covering the molten steel are exposed to
atmosphere, rather a nitrogen adsorption phenomenon in which
atmospheric nitrogen is dissolved in steel may occur. Thus, it is
preferable that an upper limit of a flow rate of Ar is 55
Nm.sup.3/min.
[0066] In addition, a nitrogen concentration in molten steel after
the reduction-decarburization operation may be 75 ppm or less, more
preferably, 70 ppm or less, further more preferably, 65 ppm or
less.
[0067] In addition, a component of the molten steel after the
reduction-decarburization operation, includes, by wt %, C: 0.003%
to 0.16%, Si: 0.2% to 0.7%, Mn: 1.0% to 5.0%, P: 0.03% or less, S:
0.02% or less, Cr: 16% to 18%, Ni: 7% to 9%, Mo: 0.001% to 0.200%,
N: 75 ppm by weight or less, iron (Fe) as a remainder thereof, and
other unavoidable impurities.
Embodiments of Invention
[0068] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in
more detail byway of embodiments. It should be noted, however, that
the embodiments described below are intended to describe the
present disclosure in more detail and not to limit the scope of the
present disclosure, because the scope of the present disclosure is
determined by the matters described in the claims and the matters
reasonably inferred therefrom.
Embodiment 1
[0069] AOD refining is performed to obtain molten steel including,
by wt %, C: 0.003% to 0.16%, Si: 0.2% to 0.7%, Mn: 1.0% to 5.0%, P:
0.03% or less, S: 0.02% or less, Cr: 16% to 18%, Ni: 7% to 9%, Mo:
0.001% to 0.200%, N: 75 ppm by weight or less, iron (Fe) as a
remainder thereof, and other unavoidable impurities, and a carbon
concentration of poured molten steel and an Ar flow rate of
reduction-decarburization in Table 1 are applied to AOD refine
molten austenitic stainless steel.
[0070] Hereinafter, ADO tapping nitrogen and a carbon concentration
are measured to be described in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 AOD poured molten steel AOD tapping AOD
tapping carbon Ar flow rate of nitrogen carbon concentration
reduction-decarburization concentration concentration
Classification (wt %) (Nm.sup.3/min) (ppm by weight) (ppm by
weight) Comparative 1.2 45 83 68 Example 1 Comparative 1.4 45 82 65
Example 2 Inventive 2.0 45 71 55 Example 1 Inventive 2.5 45 66 52
Example 2 Inventive 2.5 55 53 49 Example 3
[0071] In Inventive Examples 1 to 3 satisfying control conditions
of an exemplary embodiment, AOD tapping nitrogen and carbon
concentrations are confirmed to be reduced in comparison with
Comparative Examples 1 and 2.
Embodiment 2
[0072] To compare a method in an exemplary embodiment with a
conventional method, results that the method in an exemplary
embodiment and a conventional method are applied to actual refining
are illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. At week 1 to week 7, a carbon
concentration of poured molten steel is 1.4 wt %, and an Ar flow
rate of reduction-decarburization is 45 Nm.sup.3/min. At week 8 to
week 14, a carbon concentration thereof is 2.5 wt %, and an Ar flow
rate of reduction-decarburization is 55 Nm.sup.3/min.
[0073] At week 1 to week 7 to which a conventional refining method
is applied, a nitrogen concentration of 70 ppm or more and a carbon
concentration of 60 ppm or more are shown, but at week 8 to week 14
to which a refining method according to an exemplary embodiment is
applied, nitrogen and carbon concentrations are confirmed to be
clearly reduced.
Embodiment 3
[0074] In addition, to confirm a change in an initial O.sub.2
concentration in a decarburization operation, an additional
experiment under conditions in Table 2 is performed, and a carbon
concentration in a first AOD blowing operation is described in
Table 2. Here, an initial carbon concentration of AOD poured molten
steel is equal to 2.0 wt %.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 First blowing First blowing operation
operation First blowing AOD molten steel AOD molten steel operation
injection injection carbon O.sub.2 flow rate Ar flow rate
concentration Classification (Nm.sup.3/min) (Nm.sup.3/min) (wt %)
Comparative 130 10 0.41 Example 1 Comparative 135 10 0.40 Example 2
Inventive 140 10 0.38 Example 1 Inventive 150 10 0.36 Example 2
Inventive 150 20 0.35 Example 3
[0075] As seen in Table 2, when an initial O.sub.2 flow rate in a
decarburization operation, that is, a first blowing operation AOD
molten steel injection oxygen flow rate is 140 Nm.sup.3/min or
more, a decarburizing effect is confirmed to be further
increased.
[0076] While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described
above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
modifications and variations could be made without departing from
the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *