Electron microprobe investigation of sulphide inclusions in high-carbon ferrochromium

Abstract

An investigation of as-received and desulphurized specimens of high-carbon ferrochromium has been conducted using electron microprobe techniques. The specimens were examined using a JEOLJSM–U3 scanning electron microscope fitted with an energy-dispersive X-ray analyser and quantitative data were obtained using a wavelength-dispersive X-ray microanalyser, the JEOLJXA–50A. It was found that sulphur occurs in inclusions in combination with manganese and chromium. Traces of iron and titanium were found in all inclusions and, in some, appreciable levels of titanium were found. Variations in the cation/anion ratio, the manganese/chromium ratio, and the inclusion sizes are explained on the basis of information pertinent to the growth of these inclusions. The quantitative investigation confirmed the results of the energy-dispersive unit and showed that the formula (CrMnFeTi)S applies to these sulphides.