Thermodynamic modeling of the interaction of high-level element and oxygen in iron-based melt

The main reactions of calcium, cerium, lanthanum, silicon, and complex alloys with the active additive Ca–Si, Ca–Al, Ce–Si, La–Si, Ce–La, or Ce–Ca–Al are subjected to thermal analysis. On the basis of binary and ternary fusibility diagrams, the thermodynamic data are refined for the main reactions between complex alloys with rare-earth elements and the oxygen present in the liquid metal. Solubility surfaces are plotted for components of the Fe–Si–Ce–O, Fe–Si–La–O, Fe–Ce–La–O, and Fe–Ca–Al–Ce–O systems. From those diagrams, optimal compositions of complex alloys with rare-earth elements in terms of nonmetallic-inclusion formation are established by plotting the consumption of the active components. For each group of steels, the quantitative elementary composition of the active components used for reduction and modification of the nonmetallic inclusions must be calculated. The chemical and phase composition of the nonmetallic inclusions may be very complex even in the final stages of the reduction of oxides. A method is developed for taking account of the polyvalency of cerium in reduction processes. The thermodynamic data and diagrams obtained help provide a better understanding of the complex heterogeneous processes within multicomponent systems that contain liquid metals. In combination with experimental data for the solubility surfaces of the components and the consumption diagrams, it is possible to track the transitions from the nonequilibrium state of the metallurgical system to the equilibrium state. In other words, the degree of refining of the metal and the equilibrium composition of the nonmetallic inclusions may be determined.