Inclusion of MgO•Al2O3 in 40Cr Steel and its X-ray Spectra
Introduction
The 40Cr steel, a steel grade containing 0.37-0.44 % carbon and 0.80-1.10 % manganese, is commonly used for manufacturing hot-worked components in low temperature service applications. The mechanical performance and corrosion resistance of the 40Cr steels are directly related to its inclusion content, as well as the size, distribution, and form of the inclusions. The most important inclusions in the 40Cr steel are MgO•Al2O3, which is a metastable oxide compound containing two oxide phases, magnesium oxide (MgO) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3). An understanding of the MgO•Al2O3 inclusions and their effect on the properties of the 40Cr steel is important for its practical application.
MgO•Al2O3 Inclusion in 40Cr Steel
Inclusions in 40Cr steel are usually formed during deoxidation and are classified into 5 categories, including alumina-manganese spinels (MgO•Al2O3), oxycarbides (Fe2O3•SiO2•C), sulfide and silicide inclusions (Al2O3•CaO•SiO2•MnS) , Al2O3、SiO2 and oxysulfide inclusions. The MgO•Al2O3 inclusions usually occur as lath or plate-like particles and are characterized by their low melting temperatures and good corrosion properties. Normally, these inclusions contain 25–45 % MgO and 55–75 % Al2O3 by weight. The MgO•Al2O3 inclusions form through a reaction between molten Mg and Al in the steel. The MgO•Al2O3 inclusions in the 40Cr steel play an important role in influencing physical and chemical properties of the steel, such as magnetostriction, thermal expansion, sticking and welding ability, and hydrogen embrittlement.
X-ray Spectra of MgO•Al2O3 Inclusion
The morphology, composition and structure of the MgO•Al2O3 inclusions can be investigated by X-ray spectroscopy. This technique allows the measurement of the average energy of the emission lines and thus provides information on the chemical composition of the inclusions. The X-ray spectra of the MgO•Al2O3 inclusions in 40Cr steel can be divided into four different patterns; Kα1, Kβ, Kα2 and Kα3. The Kα1, Kβ and Kα2 peaks are primarily caused by the Al2O3 component in the inclusions, while the Kα3 peak is attributed to the MgO component in the inclusions. The intensity of the Kα1 peak is observed to be relatively high compared to other patterns, which indicates that the aluminium content in the MgO•Al2O3 inclusions is higher than the magnesium content.
Conclusion
In conclusion, MgO•Al2O3 inclusions are important for the physical and chemical properties of the 40Cr steel. X-ray spectroscopy can be used to analyze the characteristics of MgO•Al2O3 inclusions, such as the morphology, composition and structure. The X-ray spectra of the MgO•Al2O3 inclusions in 40Cr steel can be divided into four different patterns and the intensity of the Kα1 peak is found to be higher than the rest of the patterns, which is an indication that there is more aluminium than magnesium in the inclusions.