Microstructure and precipitation in as cast low carbon Nb–V–Ti microalloyed medium thin slab

Abstract

The solidification structure, austenite and precipitates in a quenched compact strip processing (CSP) medium thin slab (170 mm thick) of Nb–V–Ti microalloyed steel have been studied. It was found that secondary dendrite arm spacing and austenite grain size are slightly larger than that of similar steel produced by CSP thin slab. This is partially attributed to the slower cooling rate caused by the increased slab thickness. On the other hand, the formation of carbonitride during solidification reduces the width of secondary dendrite arm spacing, while TiN particles and alloying elements in solution may inhibit the growth of austenite grain during solidification and subsequent cooling. In addition to the semidendritic, larger cubic and fine cubic precipitates, which can be observed in CSP thin slab, dendritic precipitates were also found in CSP medium thin slab.

Keywords:

• CSP MEDIUM THIN SLAB
• SOLIDIFICATION
• DENDRITES
• AUSTENITE GRAIN
• PRECIPITATES