2025 Lukas Neubert Effect of Oxygen on Thermophysical Properties of Molten High Silicon Electrical Steels and Its Impact on Bubble Formation Behavior s11663 025

The influence of oxygen on the thermophysical properties of molten high-silicon electrical steels is critical, particularly due to its effect on bubble formation behavior. This research investigates the correlation between varying oxygen concentrations and the resultant density and surface tension in molten steels, simulating conditions experienced during secondary metallurgy. Employing the maximum bubble pressure method, experiments were conducted with total oxygen contents ranging from 77 to 300 ppm and silicon levels between 3 and 6 mass-pct. The study reveals that increasing oxygen levels significantly alter thermophysical properties, which in turn impacts bubble formation during decarburization processes in liquid steel. These findings facilitate calculations regarding bubble sizes in molten steel, allowing for more precise predictions of the behavior of electrical steels during vacuum treatments such as RH and VOD processes. Moreover, this research enhances the understanding of reactions like decarburization and the dissolution of alloying agents, providing valuable insights for optimizing the production and processing of high-silicon electrical steels.