Argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) is used during the refining process to produce steel with low carbon properties and low silicon content, while at the same time creating a metal that is more weldable and more resistant to corrosion and heat. This provides the most stringent chemical control to ensure the highest levels of metal purity.
The process takes place by injecting oxygen and an inert gas (argon or nitrogen) through the immersion tuyeres, and additional oxygen is blown through the upper tuyere. The AOD process is suitable for the production of stainless steel and other high-quality alloys, as dilution with argon / nitrogen minimizes undesired oxidation of chromium.
AOD is a type of smelting equipment in which the final deoxidation and alloying of liquid steel takes place. When refining stainless steel, inert gases (Ar, N2) are supplied at the same time that oxygen is at standard atmospheric pressure. Decarburization, during which the ratio between Ar and O is constantly changing in the process, occurs using inert gases and oxygen. This can be an artificial vacuum with a decrease in the partial pressure of CO, so that the carbon content reaches a very low level and can inhibit the oxidation of Cr in steel.
It is suitable for the production of low-carbon and ultra-low-carbon stainless steel and can easily control the S content in special steel below 0.005%. AOD can practice secondary steel production. For clarification, he can flexibly increase or decrease the associated elements.
The category ranges from 300 series and stainless steel series 200 to 316, low-carbon stainless steel series 304. The equipment has been transferred from semi-automatic control to intelligent computer control. AOD is easy and reliable to operate. Automatic process control is stably performed.
- Efficient operation even at high initial carbon levels
- Use of less expensive high carbon alloys
- Low loss of chromium oxidation