Solubility of alloying additions in ladle

The quality of alloy steels is characterized by the high homogeneity of chemical composition. The dissolution of alloying additions was studied using cubes (50 mm - 130 mm) of FeCr, FeMn, SiMn and FeTi labelled in their geometric centre with a suitable radionuclide. Steel samples were taken from the ladle, from the flow during casting and from billets. The presence and radioactivity of tracers were identified by gamma spectrometry. The use of the TN-4500 analyser allowed simultaneous investigation of several different alloying additions and bodies of different sizes during one melt. The method allows to determine the time needed for dissolving the alloying addition and for achieving homogenization and has been used in practice. A number of technological measures have been made with considerable economic benefit using the results of the method. (author). 3 figs., 1 tab