[Real-time, quantitative analysis of multi-elements in liquid steel by LIBS]

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Spectroscopy

Context:

• Analyzing the elemental composition of liquid steel is crucial for quality control in metallurgical processes.
• Traditional methods for liquid steel analysis can be time-consuming and may be affected by surface oxidation.
• Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) offers a rapid, contactless analytical technique.

Purpose:

• To investigate the application of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for the quantitative analysis of liquid steel.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of using an argon atmosphere to prevent surface oxidation during LIBS analysis of liquid steel.
• To establish calibration curves and determine the limits of detection for key alloying elements (Mn, Si, Cr) in liquid steel.

Summary:

• Liquid steel samples were analyzed using LIBS, where a high-energy pulse laser excited the surface in an argon atmosphere.
• The simultaneous enhancement of argon and plasma signals indicated successful prevention of surface oxidation.
• Spectral data collected by a multi-channel CCD spectrometer allowed for the identification and quantification of elements.
• Calibration curves for Mn, Si, and Cr demonstrated good linearity (R² > 0.925), with detection limits of 75.7 µg/g for Mn, 23.8 µg/g for Si, and 724.5 µg/g for Cr.

Impact:

• This study demonstrates LIBS as a viable technique for real-time, in-situ analysis of liquid steel composition.
• The developed method minimizes sample preparation and avoids surface oxidation, leading to more reliable results.
• Accurate quantification of alloying elements like Mn, Si, and Cr is essential for optimizing steel production and ensuring final product quality.