killing steel
Killing steel is the operation of deoxidizing molten steel prior to casting in order to prevent the formation of gas pockets and porosity. This is accomplished by adding elements such as aluminum, silicon or manganese that react with oxygen, thereby producing cleaner and more uniform steel.
Key features:
- Deoxidation methods: Depending on the desired material properties and casting conditions, steel may be fully killed (completely deoxidized) or semi-killed (partially deoxidized).
- Improved steel quality: Killed steel contains reduced amounts of internal gas voids, therefore presenting a more homogeneous structure with superior mechanical properties and enhanced manufacturability.
- Frequent Applications: It is used in structural steels (bridges, buildings), pressure vessels (boilers, pipelines), and automotive components (engine parts, gears), where high strength and reliability are of utmost importance.
Killing steel has been endorsed for durability in construction of vital infrastructure. Killing steel essentially promotes weldability and machinability in the manufacturing of precision parts. Advances are in progress in steel refined procedures such as vacuum degassing and controlled alloying to further enhance the quality and performance of killed steel in industrial service.