Preamble

Inclusions engineering technology is based on the design of inclusions so as to alleviate their harmful effects on the product properties.

Inclusion engineering does not refer to removal of inclusions but it refers to modify them either in terms of chemical composition or shape so that harmful effects of the inclusions can be converted  to improve the steel properties.

Inclusion engineering also involves distribution of inclusion uniformly in the matrix. So that composite properties can be generated in the product.

In some cases, deliberate attempts are made to form very fine inclusions (e.g. nitrides, and carbonitrides inclusions in hardening steel). Such inclusion can form by reaction between Ti, W,Al with O, N, S or C.

Macro-size inclusions must be removed. In all other cases, depending on applications, inclusion can be modified to minimize their harmful effects.


Requirements for inclusion engineering

One of the main requirements is to find an element which should be added to modify the inclusion. Element should meet the following

• It should have high chemical affinity for the inclusion

• It should be able to modify the composition so that it becomes liquid.

• It should also be able to modify the shape i.e. sharp edges ands corner of inclusions to spherical