The present invention discloses an agent for the deoxidation of ferrous melts, generally comprising a discrete layer of aluminum surrounding a ferrous core, and a method of deoxidation of ferrous melts utilizing the agent of the invention to provide an improved aluminum deoxidation efficiency. The agent of the invention is also useful as an alloying agent for the addition of aluminum to a ferrous melt for the purpose of producing a ferrous-aluminum alloy.
The deoxidizing agent of the present invention is a composition of matter consisting essentially, in its preferred embodiment, of a ferrous metal core surrounded by a discrete layer of metallic aluminum. In the preferred embodiment, the deoxidizing agent is produced with nominal aluminum proportions in the range of thirty percent by weight to fifty percent by weight, but the agent may be readily provided in almost any convenient proportion. The specific proportional composition of the deoxidizing agent of the invention may thus be tailored to any particular process or operator requirements. The deoxidizing agent of the invention may also be provided in almost any size and shape for ease of transportation, storage, and use, and displays no tendency to separate during handling or upon introduction into the molten steel.
The deoxidizing agent of the invention is prepared by physically molding a discrete layer of nominally pure aluminum around a core of suitable size and shape. The deoxidizing agent of the invention may be readily produced in billets of essentially any configuration and size desired by the user.
In use for deoxidation of molten steel, the deoxidization agent of the invention, prepared in the required proportions, size and configuration, is introduced into the melt at the point in the steelmaking process selected by the operator. With an apparent deoxidizing agent density essentially equivalent to that of ferroaluminum, penetration of the agent into the melt is good, and with an exterior surface consisting essentially of pure metallic aluminum, reactivity of the agent is high, resulting in a high deoxidation efficiency.
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