How important is steel rating for non-metallic inclusions?
Inclusion rating is one of the most common metallographic examinations that industrial steel is subjected to. Non-metallic inclusions in the form of oxides and suphides are found in small quantities in every sort of steel. The shape, composition and distribution of the inclusions are caused by production processes such as melting, deoxidation techniques, alloying constituents, casting and moulding techniques. Inclusions usually have a negative influence on the properties of the material. Depending on the intended purpose, conditions of use and required properties of the final products, it is possible and desirable to differentiate inclusions according to quantity, shape, size, chemical composition and properties. For steel inclusion rating we use automatic image analysis as well as manual tests as it facilitates the otherwise time-consuming quantitative rating methods.
