A novel laboratory technique for introducing inclusion to liquid steel
Previous studies in steel cleanness have been hampered by limited control of inclusions’ phase and composition. This limited control is often a result of studying inclusion formation and development using industrial steel melts and the inclusions therein as starting material. This is an extremely complex situation and not always readily amenable to analysis. A new experimental laboratory technique has been developed that allows addition of inclusions of known, size, phase and composition to be added to liquid steel. These inclusions can then be tracked and changes in morphology with time can be assessed for different melt conditions. The technique involves the formation of a steel-oxide compact, where high-purity inclusions are sandwiched in steel foil at high pressure. This compact is added to a steel melt of controlled and known composition. The use of this sandwiching technique overcomes problems of passing small particles (inclusions <50 μm) through the gas-melt interface and inclusion agglomeration. Details of the technique are presented and discussed and results applying this new technique in a reactivity study using cerium oxide as a synthetic inclusion in steel are given.
Equilibrium between slag, steel and inclusions during ladle treatment: comparison with production data
Abstract The primary purpose of the investigation was to determine whether equilibrium conditions exist between slag and steel and inclusions and steel after silicon deoxidation and aluminium deoxidation. In doing so, the performance of three different models for predicting oxide component activities was also evaluated. The results from the oxide activity models were used to calculate oxygen activities in the steel melt. Industrial data such as steel, slag and inclusion component concentrations, as well as temperature, were used as input to the calculations. One general conclusion drawn was that although the results from the different models showed similar trends, the models did not predict the same actual values for specific calculations. Predicted theoretical equilibrium oxygen activity values were compared with plant measurements of oxygen activity. Here, it was found that the oxygen activity values pertaining to the equilibrium between steel and inclusions were higher than corresponding measured values. The calculations for the equilibrium between the top slag and steel melt, however, resulted in theoretical oxygen activity values considerably lower than corresponding measurements. It was thus concluded that equilibrium conditions did not exist between the top slag and the steel bulk with respect to oxygen. Overall, the models proved useful in predicting oxide activities, but the lack of equilibrium between top slag and molten steel made the calculation of oxygen activity difficult.
Assessment of fractures in endodontically treated teeth restored with and without root canal posts using high-resolution cone beam computed tomography
Background Root fractures are a diagnostic challenge for dentists in endodontic treatment. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the characteristics of tooth fractures and the presence of root canal posts in endodontically treated teeth using high-resolution cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and Methods Fifty high-resolution CBCT scans of endodontically treated teeth with a diagnosis of fracture were obtained, of which 30 were from women and 20 were from men. These scans were acquired with three Veraviewepocs 3D units and one 3D Accuitomo 170 unit, with a 40 × 40-mm field of view and 125 μm voxel size. The variables assessed included the type of fracture, extent of fracture, type of retention, post length, cause of endodontic failure, location of the lesion, and time required to detect the fracture (difficulty score). For data analysis, the chi-squared test, Student’s t-test, and multiple linear regression (α <0.05) were used. Results No association was found between the type of fracture and type of retention or between the type of fracture and its extent (P>0.05). On the other hand, the type of fracture significantly influenced the time required for its detection. Additionally, the most difficult plane for detecting the fracture and the difficulty score were associated, with statistically significant results. Conclusions The type of fracture in endodontically treated teeth was not associated with the type of post used for restoration. All of the CBCT systems used to detect tooth fracture showed the same efficiency. Key words:Cone-Beam CT, Tooth Fracture, Root Canal Post.