Description
Abstract: A numerical model was developed to describe the agglomeration of Al2O3 inclusions in molten steel based on the Gibbs free energy analysis of formation and stability of a cavity between Al2O3 particles. The calculated curve of the Gibbs free energy change of the systems, with respect to neck radius, had a maximum and a minimum. The maximum of the Gibbs free energy change represented an energy barrier for the formation of the cavity, which was defined as the activation energy. A stable state or metastable state was reached by minimizing the Gibbs free energy change and the corresponding minimum Gibbs free energy change was defined as the stable energy. The dependence of the activation energy and the stable energy on the interparticle distance were investigated. As the interparticle distance decreased, both the activation energy and the stable energy decreased.
Authors: Haojian Duan and Lifeng Zhang
Keywords: Al2O3 Inclusions, Cavity, Agglomeration, Gibbs Free Energy, Stable Energy