Abstract

Identification and characterization play an essential role in the study of non-metallic inclusions (NMIs) in monitoring the steel casting process and product quality. This study uses Raman spectroscopy, a versatile, relatively fast, and non-destructive technique for characterizing oxide and sulfide-based inclusion phases in steel samples. The relative Raman peak intensities and positions were used to qualitatively estimate the inclusion phases of Al₂O₃, CA, C12A7, C3A, MgO·Al₂O₃, and CaS. For a quantitative estimation, FESEM-EDS (field emission scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) was used to evaluate the inclusion phases in the samples. This study demonstrates that Raman spectroscopy can be used to rapidly estimate the content of Al₂O₃, magnesium aluminate spinel (MgO·Al₂O₃), and the calcium aluminate phases of CA, C3A, and C12A7 in steel samples to complement established characterization techniques for NMIs analysis such as FESEM-EDS.