Effect of pulse electric field on the solidification microstructure and element distribution of carbon steel

Molten steel was treated through changing the voltage of pulse electric field, the effect of pulse electric field on the refinement of crystal particles and the transfer of elements in solidification process was investigated. The number and distribution of crystal particles in steel was analyzed using the software ImageJ. The distribution and segregation of main elements in the solidification structure of steel were studied by original position analysis (OPA), and the effect of the voltage of pulse electric field on the transfer of elements in solidification process was discussed. The results showed that the crystal particles were obviously refined with increasing pulse voltage, and there was a similar distribution characteristic for the elements Si, Mn and P but reverse for the elements P and S.