GRK2802: Effect of Sulfur on the Surface Tension of Low-Sulfur Manganese-Boron Steel

Abstract

Abstract In the present study, the surface tension of sulfur-containing manganeseboron steels is measured at high temperatures via the Maximum Bubble Pressure (MBP) method. Density, essential for determining surface tension, was measured in parallel and found to decrease slightly with rising temperatures, from 6952 ± 13 to 6830 ± 85 kg m−3 between 1550 and 1650 °C, as seen in the alloy containing 130 ppm S. Surface tension in this alloy increased from 1234 ± 4 to 1301 ± 9 mN m−1 as the temperature increased from 1550 to 1650 °C, with a consistent positive temperature coefficient. Even small additions of sulfur significantly reduced surface tension at all temperatures. For instance, at 1600 °C, the surface tension decreased from 1389 to 1264 mN m−1 with the increase of sulfur from 39 to 130 ppm. The relationship between surface tension and sulfur content followed an inverse logarithmic relationship and the temperature increase decreased the coefficient of change of the surface tension. This work generated reliable results, contributing to the understanding of surface tension and providing data for the processing of this steel grade.