[TheForge] TheForge Digest, Vol 94, Issue 12

[James Binnion]

There is a type of steel called Aluminum Killed steel, it is a low carbon drawing steel. Aluminum is added to the ladle to deoxidize the steel, most of it will transform into alumina (AlO3) when it contacts oxygen in the molten metal and float off as slag but some will remain in the solidified steel.


From the ASM Metals Handbook.

"Aluminum is widely used as a deoxidizer and for control of grain size. When added to steel in specified amounts, it controls austenite grain growth in reheated steels. Of all the alloying elements, aluminum is the most effective in controlling grain growth prior to quenching. Titanium, zirconium, and vanadium are also effective grain growth inhibitors; however, for structural grades that are heat treated (quenched and tempered), these three elements may have  adverse effects on hardenability because their carbides are quite stable and difficult to dissolve in austenite prior to quenching."

So it would be avery small percentage of the alloy probably less than 1%

Jim



On Nov 27, 2011, at 5:34 PM, Andy Gladish wrote:

> I think I need to call BS on something that Hodges said on the newest
> Bones- "...an alloy of aluminum and steel..."
> There IS no such thing, yes no?
> Andy G
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James Binnion
jbin at well.com