Study on the wettability behaviour between electroslag remelting slag and inclusions

The wettability between electroslag remelting (ESR) slag and non-metallic inclusions influences inclusion removal efficiency. This study establishes two models that quantify the wettability between two inclusions and the content of CaF 2 in ESR slags. Three ESR slags with CaF 2 content in the range from 30 to 70 wt-% were tested using the sessile drop method, and two inclusions, calcium hexaaluminate (CA 6 ) and Al 2 O 3 are used as substrates. Linear models were developed, correlating the apparent contact angle with CaF 2 content in the slag. Industrial tests were also performed. Results revealed that increasing CaF 2 content reduces the apparent contact angle for both inclusions. The apparent contact angle between CA 6 and the slag consistently exceeded the angle between Al 2 O 3 and the slag. These findings indicate that higher CaF 2 content increases the resistance for inclusions to enter the slag, with CA 6 having a higher tendency to enter the slag compared to Al 2 O 3 .