Effects of cerium addition on solidification structure and mechanical properties of 434 ferritic stainless steel

Effects of Ce refiners on the solidification structure and the mechanical property of ferritic stainless steel were investigated, the corresponding mechanisms were also discussed. The results showed that the solidification of the ferritic stainless steel was remarkably refined with 0.011 wt.% Ce and 0.023 wt.% Ce refiners. Ce played a great role of inclusion modification and the shape and size of the inclusions were changed by adding Ce. And after adding rare earth Ce, great amounts of high-melting point rare earth Ce inclusions (Ce2O3 and Ce2O2S) were formed. The fracture mode of 434 ferritic stainless steel was typical cleavage fracture, however, the ductility and the toughness of ferritic stainless steel was remarkably enhanced with 0.011 wt.% Ce and 0.023 wt.% Ce refiner. But the solidification structure and the mechanical property of 434 ferritic stainless steel could not be improved with 0.034 wt.% Ce refiner.