The results of tests and examinations of the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast steel used for large-size slag ladles are presented. Castings of this type (especially large-size ladles with a capacity of up to 16 m3) operate under very demanding conditions resulting from the repeated cycles of filling and emptying the ladle with liquid slag at a temperature exceeding even 1600°C. The changes in operating temperature cause faster degradation and wear of slag ladle castings, mainly due to thermal fatigue.
The tests carried out on samples taken from different parts/areas of the ladle (flange, bottom and half-height) showed significant differences in the microstructure of the flange and bottom part as compared to the microstructure obtained at half-height of the ladle wall. The flange and bottom were characterized by a ferritic-pearlitic microstructure, while the microstructure at the ladle half-height consisted of a ferritic matrix, cementite and graphite precipitates. Changes in microstructure affected the mechanical properties. Based on the test results it was found that both the flange and the bottom of the ladle had higher mechanical properties, i.e. UTS, YS, hardness, and impact energy than the centre of the ladle wall. Fractography showed the mixed character of fractures with the predominance of brittle fracture. Microporosity and clusters of non-metallic inclusions were also found in the fractures of samples characterized by low properties.

This article is a description of the progress of research and development in the area of massive large-scale castings - slag ladles implemented in cooperation with the Faculty of Foundry Engineering of UST in Krakow. Slag ladles are the one of the major castings that has been developed by the Krakodlew (massive castings foundry) for many years. Quality requirements are constantly increasing in relation to the slag ladles. Slag ladles are an integral tool in the logistics of enterprises in the metallurgical industry in the process of well-organized slag management and other by-products and input materials. The need to increase the volume of slag ladles is still growing. Metallurgical production is expected to be achieved in Poland by 2022 at the level of 9.4 million Mg/year for the baseline scenario - 2016 - 9 million Mg/year. This article describes the research work carried out to date in the field of technology for the production of massive slag ladles of ductile cast iron and cast steel.

In the presented work, two multicomponent Cr ₂₅Z ₂₅Co ₂₀Mo ₁₅Si ₁₀Y ₅ and Cr ₂₅Co ₂₅Zr ₂₀Mo ₁₅Si ₁₀Y ₅ alloys were produced from bulk chemical elements using the vacuum arc melting technique. X-ray diffraction phase analysis was used to determine the phase composition of the obtained materials. Microstructure analysis included scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy techniques. The studies revealed the presence of multi-phase structures in both alloys. Elemental distribution maps confirmed the presence of all six alloying elements in the microstructure. The segregation of chemical elements was also observed. Microhardness measurement revealed that both alloys exhibited microhardness from 832(27) to 933(22) HV1.