Role of ladle treatment of steel in formation of structure and properties of metal melt

Physical properties of steel (density, surface tension and viscosity) are measured before and after blowing with argon in the ladle. Argon ladle treatment of steel increases these properties of the metal melt. Results are treated in terms of quasichemical model of metal melts assuming the formation of clusters of strongly inter¬acting particles. Argon blow destroys these clusters and makes the melt more close to microhomogeneous and microequilibrium state, which results in increase of its physical properties. Comparison of physical properties of commercial and synthesized 18 Cr - 10 Ni steel permitted to conclude that argon ladle treatment of commercial steel yields physical properties corresponding to the properties of the steel synthesized from pure materials. Ladle treatment thus improves quality characteristics of steel products.