Image Processing Procedure to Evaluate Inclusion Dissolution in a Slag Observed by High-Temperature Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy

In situ study of the inclusion dissolution behavior in a slag utilizing high-temperature confocal scanning laser microscopy helps to understand the phenomenon of the removal of non-metallic inclusions from liquid steel before the casting process. The current work introduces an image processing procedure to automate and measure the inclusion diameter during its dissolution. Silica and alumina particle dissolution were considered as they appear differently when suspended in the slag (bubble-like transparent and solid-like opaque, respectively). The procedure consists of two parts: (1) morphological isolation and construction of the inclusion, and (2) inclusion diameter calculation. The inclusion diameters could be successfully measured over a series of images and showed good agreement with the manually measured diameters. The image processing procedure has the advantages of significant time saving and standardization compared to manual measurements.