Production of Saw-Wire Steel in Vacuum Induction Furnace: An Experimental Study

High quality saw-wire steel ingot,with high economic impact,was produced in vacuum induction furnace.The influence of the possible contamination sources,including but not limited to the alumina crucible,solid/gaseous impurities contained or released from melting raw materials,and melting/condensation atmosphere,on the purity and mechanical properties of the saw-wire,was investigated for optimization of production conditions.First,the well-cleaned high purity raw-materials and graphite electrodes were thoroughly degassed in vacuum;next,in the initial stage,the raw materials were slowly melted at a low power,to effectively remove the desorbed gases and evaporated metal impurities of Pd,Sn,Sb,and Bi;third,the argon atmosphere,continuously introduced in the high-power refining stage,significantly inhibited Al-contamination,originated from the reaction of C-content and alumina crucible;and finally,the increased churning time and frequency promoted degassing and slug-floating of liquid steel.