Papers - Inclusions and Their Effect on Impact Strength of Steel, I (With Discussion)

Inclusions of nonmetallic matter have long been recognized as objectionable in steel. A complete theory of the effect of inclusions, which is consistent with that held today, was outlined in Howe's early work on the metallurgy of iron and steel. This, by analogy with wrought iron, assumes that the observed difference in properties between specimens with and across the direction of rolling is due to slag enclosures. The fact that wrought iron shatters in ballistic test is taken as an indication of the effect of inclusions on the resistance to'shock. Since that time, the development of the metallurgical microscope has shown the discrete nonmetallic inclusions in the iron matrix. Better resolution has brought out the great number of inclusions, and the availability of good microscopes in steel mills and laboratories has constantly drawn more attention to these inclusions. This recent emphasis on inclusions has resulted in studies as to their nature, mode of formation and methods of elimination, such as the work of Wohrman, Dickenson, Herty and Schenk. In addition to the published works, many investigations which have not been published have been carried out by private laboratories and have resulted in the application of specifications intended to limit inclusions in many qualities of steel. Neverthless, a clear understanding of the quantitative effect of inclusions on the physical properties of steel has been lacking. It is the specific purpose of this study to determine the quantitative effect of inclusions on the physical properties of steel that determine its behavior under dynamic stress. The study has shown that a quantitative relation between counted inclusions and impact strength does exist in normalized steels, but that factors other than readily visible inclusions are equally important. Furthermore, the present commercial rating of inclusions is unreliable with respect to counted inclusions or dynamic tests, and this study indicates that the tensile-impact test is more reliable as a measure of quality. General Scheme The general plan of the study follows: (1) To develop or establish a satisfactory measure of dynamic strength; (2) to develop or establish a