Evaluation of Deoxidation Process in Medical Grade of 316L Stainless Steel

In the present work, deoxidation and refining of 316LVM steel (Low carbon Vacuum Melted) during the vacuum induction melting process was studied. This grade of stainless steel is one of the most important materials in medical applications. Vacuum deoxidation by carbon is the first stage of 316LVM stainless steel production process. In this stage, aluminum must be absent to avoid killing the C-O reaction. Deoxidation product in the VIM process is in gaseous state which is tapped by vacuum pump system. For this reason, vacuum deoxidation by carbon is the best method for refining 316LVM steel. Vacuum induction melting has no significant effects on reduction of sulfur and phosphorus. After deoxidation in vacuum by carbon, addition of Al+Ca/Si is the best way for reducing the oxygen and increasing the steel cleanness.