The application of vacuum degassing to bearing steel
Abstract
The transition from air melted steel to carbon-dioxidized, ladle vacuum degassed steel for bearings has been accomplished smoothly. An improvement of bearing life ratings has developed simultaneously with the use of vacuum degassed steel. Through-hardening 52100 bearing steel produced by ladle vacuum degassing shows improved microcleanliness. The most noticeable effect of this degassing practice on the microcleanliness of 52100 is the reduction in size and frequency of D-type globular oxides and the increase in sulfide ratings. Micro-probe and metallographic investigations have shown that sulfides are associated with D-type oxide inclusions in air melt 52100; however, this is not the case for 52100 VP. This results in the presence of greater numbers of sulfides in the degassed steel. Degassing practice has now developed to the stage where steel compositions tailored to this process are desirable.
- Publication:
-
JOM - Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society
- Pub Date:
- January 1966
- DOI:
- 10.1007/BF03378404
- Bibcode:
- 1966JOM....18...62C