ABSTRACT
Steelmaking is a process of selective oxidation of impurities in molten iron. During this, however, the molten steel also dissolves some oxygen. Solubility of oxygen in solid steel is negligibly small. Therefore, during solidification of steel in ingot or continuous casting, the excess oxygen is rejected by the solidifying metal. This excess oxygen causes defects such as blowholes and nonmetallic inclusions in castings. It also has significant influence on the structure of the cast metal.
