Why is calcium in steel?

Answer 1

With the addition of calcium in steel, the steel suppress the formation of MnS during the solidification of steel. Other reasons include:

1.Improving steel castability in continuous casting

2. To minimize inclusion related surface defects in billet, bloom and slab castings

3. To Improve steel machinability at high cutting speeds

4. To minimize the susceptibility of steel to re-heat cracking

5. To prevent lamellar tearing in large restrained welded structures

6. To minimize the susceptibility of high-strength low alloy linepipe steels to hydrogen-induced cracking.

Answer 2

Calcium is added to steel during the steelmaking process as a deoxidizer and desulfurizing agent. It helps remove impurities like oxygen and sulfur from the steel, which can improve its properties such as strength and machinability. Calcium also forms non-metallic inclusions that can enhance the steel's resistance to cracking and improve its overall quality.