Distribution of inclusions along the width direction of continuous casting slab of ultra-low carbon automobile exposed panel

ZHANG Xuejiao; YANG Zhishun; YANG Jian; ZHANG Yinhui; ZHI Jianjun; WANG Ruizhi; FAN Zhengjie

doi:10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.02.017

Volume 47 Issue 2

Apr. 2026

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM > 2026 > 47(2): 153-163

ZHANG Xuejiao, YANG Zhishun, YANG Jian, ZHANG Yinhui, ZHI Jianjun, WANG Ruizhi, FAN Zhengjie. Distribution of inclusions along the width direction of continuous casting slab of ultra-low carbon automobile exposed panel[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(2): 153-163. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.02.017

Citation:

ZHANG Xuejiao, YANG Zhishun, YANG Jian, ZHANG Yinhui, ZHI Jianjun, WANG Ruizhi, FAN Zhengjie. Distribution of inclusions along the width direction of continuous casting slab of ultra-low carbon automobile exposed panel[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(2): 153-163. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.02.017

Citation:

ZHANG Xuejiao, YANG Zhishun, YANG Jian, ZHANG Yinhui, ZHI Jianjun, WANG Ruizhi, FAN Zhengjie. Distribution of inclusions along the width direction of continuous casting slab of ultra-low carbon automobile exposed panel[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(2): 153-163. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.02.017

PDF( 4395 KB)

Distribution of inclusions along the width direction of continuous casting slab of ultra-low carbon automobile exposed panel

doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.02.017

1.
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
2.
School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, Yunnan, China
3.
Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., LTD., Shanghai, 201900, China

More Information

Received Date: 2026-01-13
Accepted Date: 2026-03-02
Rev Recd Date: 2026-02-14

Available Online: 2026-04-29

Publish Date: 2026-04-29

Abstract

Abstract

Ultra-low carbon steel is widely used for automobile exposed panels due to its excellent deep-drawing properties, but inclusions in continuous casting slabs can easily evolve into surface defects. In this study, two-strand continuous casting slabs for two heats with low Al and O contents and high Al and O contents are selected for ultra-low carbon steel of automobile exposed panel. Samples are taken at the 1/4 thickness, and at the positions of 2 cm from the edge, 1/4 width, and 1/2 width of the slab. The morphology, quantity, size, and spatial distribution of inclusions along different width positions are compared and analyzed using the Inclusion Automatic Analysis System (IAAS), to clarify the distribution law of inclusions along the width direction of continuous casting slab of ultra-low carbon steel automotive exposed panel. The results show that the inclusions in the slabs are mainly cluster-like, independent particles, or dispersed Al₂O₃, regular square TiN, and core-shell structure Al₂O₃-TiN composite inclusions. In terms of number density, small-sized TiN inclusions are enriched at the position 2 cm from the edge; large-sized Al₂O₃-TiN inclusions are enriched in the 1/4 width region; and the number density of large-sized inclusions in the heat with high Al and O contents is significantly higher. In terms of size distribution, Al₂O₃ has the largest average size; the high Al and O contents promote the formation and aggregation of Al₂O₃-TiN composite inclusions; TiN tends to be enriched at the edge of 2 cm position in small sizes. The spatial distribution shows that TiN inclusions have the highest number density and are mainly enriched at the edge; the composite inclusions reach their peak number density in the 1/4 width region; the number density of all types of inclusions in the 1/2 width position is generally reduced. Meanwhile, the number density of Al₂O₃ inclusions in the heat with high Al and O contents is higher than that in the heat with low Al and O contents.
- inclusions,
- slab,
- distribution along width direction,
- automotive exposed panel,
- ultra-low carbon steel

FullText(HTML)

References(25)

References

[1]	EL BEALY M O. New macrosegregation criteria for quality problems in continuous casting of steel[J]. Ironmaking and Steelmaking, 2013, 40(8): 559-570. doi: 10.1179/1743281212Y.0000000085
[2]	PAN H, WU G, LI Z. Quality control of casting slab for 510L steel[C]//Proceedings of the 2011 International Conference on Applied Mechanics, Materials and Manufacturing, ICAMMM 2011, November 18-20, 2011, Shenzhen, China, Trans Tech Publications: 2012.
[3]	PAN X Q, YANG J, PARK J, et. al. Distribution characteristics of inclusions along with the surface sliver defect on the exposed panel of automobile: A quantitative electrolysis method[J]. International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials, 2020, 27(11): 1489-1498.
[4]	ZHANG Q, YANG J, LI T, et al. Characteristics of inclusions and microstructures around solidification hook of low-carbon steel continuous casting slab[J]. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, 2023, 54(5): 2439-2453. doi: 10.1007/s11663-023-02846-w
[5]	ZHAO C L, TANG F P, ZHU X L, et al. Experiment on distribution characteristics of surface inclusions in IF steel continuous casting billet[J]. Iron and Steel, 2017, 52(12): 42-47. (赵成林, 唐复平, 朱晓雷, 等. IF钢连铸坯表层夹杂分布特征的试验[J]. 钢铁, 2017, 52(12): 42-47. doi: 10.13228/j.boyuan.issn0449-749x.20170251 ZHAO C L, TANG F P, ZHU X L, et al. Experiment on distribution characteristics of surface inclusions in IF steel continuous casting billet[J]. Iron and Steel, 2017, 52（12）: 42-47. doi: 10.13228/j.boyuan.issn0449-749x.20170251
[6]	GAO S, WANG M, GUO J L, et al. Evaluation of cleanliness and distribution of inclusions in the thickness direction of interstitial free (IF) steel slabs[J]. Chinese Journal of Engineering, 2020, 42(2): 194-202. (高帅, 王敏, 郭建龙, 等. IF钢铸坯厚度方向夹杂物分布及洁净度评估[J]. 工程科学学报, 2020, 42(2): 194-202. GAO S, WANG M, GUO J L, et al. Evaluation of cleanliness and distribution of inclusions in the thickness direction of interstitial free (IF) steel slabs[J]. Chinese Journal of Engineering, 2020, 42（2）: 194-202.
[7]	TANG F P, CHANG G H, SU H, et al. Inclusions in ultra low carbon steel[J]. Iron and Steel, 2007, (1): 20-22, 30. (唐复平, 常桂华, 栗红, 等. 超低碳钢钢中夹杂物的研究[J]. 钢铁, 2007, (1): 20-22, 30. TANG F P, CHANG G H, SU H, et al. Inclusions in ultra low carbon steel[J]. Iron and Steel, 2007, (1): 20-22, 30.
[8]	WANG R, BAO Y P, YAN Z J, et al. Comparison between the surface defects caused by Al₂O₃ and TiN inclusions in interstitial-free steel auto sheets[J]. International Journal of Minerals Metallurgy and Materials, 2019, 26(2): 178-185. doi: 10.1007/s12613-019-1722-z
[9]	LI X, BAO Y, WANG M. Genetic evolution of inclusions in interstitial-free steel during the cold rolling processes[J]. Trans Indian Inst Met, 2018, 71(5): 1067-1072. doi: 10.1007/s12666-017-1241-4
[10]	WANG M, BAO Y P, ZHAO L H, et al. Distribution and detriment of bubbles in continuous casting interstitial free steel slab[J]. ISIJ International, 2015, 55(4): 799-804. doi: 10.2355/isijinternational.55.799
[11]	ZHOU M, JIANG M, YUAN P, et al. Characterization of large inclusions along the thickness direction in the ultra-low carbon slab[J]. Steelmaking, 2016, 32(2): 60-63,68. (周萌, 姜敏, 苑鹏, 等. 超低碳钢连铸坯厚度方向大尺寸夹杂物分布特征[J]. 炼钢, 2016, 32(2): 60-63,68. ZHOU M, JIANG M, YUAN P, et al. Characterization of large inclusions along the thickness direction in the ultra-low carbon slab[J]. Steelmaking, 2016, 32（2）: 60-63,68.
[12]	ZHANG L, THOMAS B G. State of the art in evaluation and control of steel cleanliness[J]. ISIJ international, 2003, 43(3): 271-291. doi: 10.2355/isijinternational.43.271
[13]	THOMAS B G, YUAN Q, ZHAO B, et al. Transient fluid-flow phenomena in the continuous steel-slab casting mold and defect formation[J]. JOM-e, 2006, 58: 16-36.
[14]	MIKI Y, THOMAS B G. Modeling of inclusion removal in a tundish[J]. Metallurgical and materials transactions B, 1999, 30(4): 639-654. doi: 10.1007/s11663-999-0025-6
[15]	YU M Q, WANG Z Z, XU M H, et al. Refining process of superclean bearing steel[J]. Iron and Steel (Peking), 2006, 41(9): 26-29. (虞明全, 王治政, 徐明华, 等. 超纯轴承钢的精炼工艺[J]. 钢铁, 2006, 41(9): 26-29. YU M Q, WANG Z Z, XU M H, et al. Refining process of superclean bearing steel[J]. Iron and Steel (Peking), 2006, 41（9）: 26-29.
[16]	UESUGI T. Production of high-carbon chromium bearing steel in vertical type continuous caster[J]. Transactions of the Iron and Steel Institute of Japan, 1986, 26(7): 614-620. doi: 10.2355/isijinternational1966.26.614
[17]	WANG Q, LIU J H, LIU J F, et al. Inclusions distribution in IF steel slabs[J]. Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium, 2013, 34(4): 62-67. (王全, 刘建华, 刘建飞, 等. IF钢铸坯中夹杂物的分布规律[J]. 钢铁钒钛, 2013, 34(4): 62-67. WANG Q, LIU J H, LIU J F, et al. Inclusions distribution in IF steel slabs[J]. Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium, 2013, 34（4）: 62-67.
[18]	ZHANG S, LIU Z, YUAN Y, et al. Removal and distribution behaviors of inclusion particles in the steel melt under different rotation modes during continuous casting[J]. Powder Technology, 2024, 448: 120311. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2024.120311
[19]	THOMAS B G. Modeling of the continuous casting of steel—past, present, and future[J]. Metallurgical and materials transactions B, 2002, 33(6): 795-812. doi: 10.1007/s11663-002-0063-9
[20]	YANG C, LIU Y. TiN inclusions formation in Ti-Al deoxidized ultra-low carbon steel; proceedings of the 2023 9th International Conference on Applied Materials and Manufacturing Technology, ICAMMT 2023, April 24, 2023 - April 26, 2023, Hybrid, Qingyuan, China, F, 2023[C]. Institute of Physics.
[21]	WITTE M, WIENER J, SHAHAMAT JAVID N, et al. Automated particle analysis to determine the distribution of non-metallic inclusions within continuously cast slabs of ultra low carbon (ULC) steel[J]. BHM Bergund Huttenmannische Monatshefte, 2024, 169(3): 124-131.
[22]	SAHAI Y, EMI T. Tundish technology for clean steel production[M]. 2007.
[23]	THOMAS B G, YUAN Q, MAHMOOD S, et al. Transport and entrapment of particles in steel continuous casting[J]. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, 2014, 45(1): 22-35. doi: 10.1007/s11663-013-9916-7
[24]	GLADMAN T. Precipitation hardening in metals[J]. Materials science and technology, 1999, 15(1): 30-36. doi: 10.1179/026708399773002782
[25]	OHTA H, SUITO H. Characteristics of particle size distribution of deoxidation products with Mg, Zr, Al, Ca, Si/Mn and Mg/Al in Fe-10 mass% Ni alloy[J]. ISIJ international, 2006, 46(1): 14-21. doi: 10.2355/isijinternational.46.14