2015 Volume 101 Issue 3 Pages 198-203
A rapid size and composition analysis of inclusions in steel was investigated. We found that the spark discharges hit not only the particles but also the inclusions without rolling up the steel matrix when spark discharge optical emission spectrometry (SD-OES) was applied to the sample adhering particles to its surface. The discharge pulses which held a low Fe emission intensity were selected as inclusion pulses. The size distribution and chemical composition of the inclusions were calculated from the emission intensities of elements constituting the inclusions of these inclusion pulses. We applied the method to alumina inclusions containing MgO, obtaining the size distribution and MgO (mass%) well enough. This method is useful for a relative evaluation of inclusions in a short time.
