Characterization of non-metallic inclusions according to morphology and composition : A comparison of two different steels before and after turning

Investigation of non metallic inclusions in two different steels from Sandvik was made before and after turning. After dissolving the non-metallic inclusions by electrolytic extraction the particles were analysed manually or by INCA feature. This was referred to as 3D analysis. INCA feature analysis without extraction of particles was also performed, this was referred to as 2D analysis. The aim of the report was to a make a characterization of non-metallic inclusions with respect to chemical composition, aspect ratio, size and shape. The aim was also to compare different investigation methods. Samples were prepared and investigated. It was obtained that inclusions with sulphur content was elongated and crushed during the turning process. Broken sulphides were detected in one of the steels, and broken oxysulphides in the other steel in the electrolytically extracted chips created by turning. The first steel, steel 1, mainly contained sulphide and oxysulphide inclusions, and steel 2 mainly contained oxysulphides. The aspect ratio obtained by 2D analysis of the sulphide inclusions in steel 1 before turning showed similar results to the electrolytic extracted inclusions measured by hand. The aspect ratio increased with the length of the inclusion. However the deviation of data obtained by the 2D analysis was larger than deviation from the extracted particles measured by hand. The reason for this was assumed to be that the 2D method was not able to analyse the true shape of the inclusions e.g. if inclusions were partly concealed by metal matrix. In analysis of steel 2 the average aspect ratio decreased for oxides and increased for oxysulphides after turning. The chemical composition of inclusions did not change after the turning process for neither of the steels. Copper was detected in the electrolytic extracted inclusions, however not in the 2D investigation by SEM. This is an interesting topic for future research