LAUSR

Interactions between exogenous MgO particles and endogenous inclusions on the surface of a high alloyed steel melt have been investigated in situ in a high temperature confocal laser scanning microscope. Exogenous magnesia particle forms immediately a liquid Mg–Si–Al–Ti–Cr phase surrounding the solid particle. The real attraction forces between the liquid layer surrounding MgO particles and endogenous Al2O3 inclusions are determined in the range of 6 × 10−18 N to 1 × 10−16 N. In contrast to earlier investigations with exogenous Al2O3 particles, lower real attraction forces between exogenous and endogenous particle pairs have been observed in comparison to endogenous inclusions pairs.