Influence of synthetic slag added during the tapping on inclusion features of a vacuum degassed LCAK steel grade

Synthetic slag has been added during BOF tapping in order to modify the physicochemical properties of resulting slag with the aim of assessing the influence on inclusion density, composition and size distribution. Viscosities and activities of slag oxides were calculated by FactSage 7.2, using the FToxid database and Viscosity module. All heats were treated under vacuum in an RH degasser for 15 minutes. A comparative analysis of top slags with two levels of FeO+MnO (> 10% and ≤ 10%) was carried out. The higher level of FeO+MnO led to almost thrice more inclusion than the lower level. Top slags after treatment with synthetic slag brought the best result of inclusions features thanks to their higher CaO activity, lower viscosity and lower activity of Al2O3. These heats presented smaller inclusions and lower initial inclusion density at ladle arrival at RH. Based on these evidences, top slags with synthetic slags added during the tapping and FeO+MnO content ≤ 10% conferred the best condition in steel cleanliness.