The Influence of Vanadium Microalloying on Voids Occurence in Low-Alloyed Cr-Mo Steels After Continuous Casting

We discuss the correlation between segregation of carbide forming elements (vanadium) and void initiation and propagation in low-alloyed Cr-Mo steels. The internal defects are created during blooms straightening in radial type of casting machine due to strain deformation field in the temperature range characteristic for vanadium nitride, carbide or carbonitride precipitation. Based on the statistical analysis (1097 continuously cast blooms) of three low-alloyed Cr-Mo steel variants with different vanadium content, we conclude that the void occurence is strongly associated with the level of vanadium content. The experiments performed by means of microstructural, fractographic investigations and microchemical point analysis proved that preffered areas for void initiation are interdendritic segregations in the core of bloom. We observed vanadium carbide precipitates that are situated close to the cracks, whereas the content of vanadium was 7,5 times more then in an average smelt composition. The further development of defects is connected with fast heating up to the austenization temperature in soaking pit. Our results confirm that marked decrease of defects can be achieved by optimization of production process, i. e. optimized casting speed, steel overheat above the liquidus temperature and/or application of M-EMS.