Refining of 18%Cr-8%Ni Steel with Ca-CaF2 Solution

Ca-CaF 2 solution was used as an electro-flux in electroslag remelting jJrocessing to study the refining power of calcium metal dissolved in CaF 2 melt for various elements contained in 18 oCr-8 oN i steel. The experimental results showed that this metal solution removes all elements of group V-b in the Periodic Table (N, P , As, Sb and Bi ) as well as those of VJ-b group (0, S, Se and Te) to low levels . Sn and P b were also found to be reduced by Ca-CaF 2 solution . No substantial changes ill the concentrations of metals (Cu , Zn , A I, N i, Cr and M n) a nd semi-metal/ic elements (C and Si) were observed. This effectiveness of Ca metal solution as a refining reagent is expected to give a new way to the production of steel with extremely low levels of impurities that is not obtainable by conventionallefining methods .