Abstract: The internal quality of continuously cast and other steel samples in the form of ingots, billets, blooms, slabs and bars is determined in rapid manner to enable potentially problem-causing casting conditions to be identified and corrected in timely manner. A steel sample from the casting, after grinding to remove any heat-affected zone and to provide a desired degree of surface roughness, is anodically etched using dilute hydrochloric acid at ambient temperature to etch away metal from the surface to reveal the internal quality. After removal of the sample from the etching apparatus, the sample is washed, dried, and visually examined to determine the internal quality.

Abstract: The internal quality of continuously cast and other steel samples in the form of ingots, billets, blooms, slabs and bars is determined in rapid manner to enable potentially problem-causing casting conditions to be identified and corrected in timely manner. A steel sample from the casting, after grinding to remove any heat-affected zone and to provide a desired degree of surface roughness, is anodically etched using dilute hydrochloric acid at ambient temperature to etch away metal from the surface to reveal the internal quality. After removal of the sample from the etching apparatus, the sample is washed, dried, and visually examined to determine the internal quality.

Abstract: The internal quality of continuously cast and other steel samples in the form of ingots, billets, blooms, slabs and bars is determined in rapid manner to enable potentially problem-causing casting conditions to be identified and corrected in timely manner. A steel sample from the casting, after grinding to remove any heat-affected zone and to provide a desired degree of surface roughness, is anodically etched using dilute hydrochloric acid at ambient temperature to etch away metal from the surface to reveal the internal quality. After removal of the sample from the etching apparatus, the sample is washed, dried, and visually examined to determine the internal quality.

Abstract: A method of fluxing an oxide sample includes placing the sample in a crucible which has a central axis and a bottom, and heating the crucible and thus the oxide sample. A motion is applied to the crucible whereby the central axis moves to describe a conical surface with an apex on the central axis and spaced from the bottom of the crucible by a distance equal to or less than the crucible height. The crucible itself is restrained against rotation about its own axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame and a crucible having a central axis and a bottom. The crucible is supported and is moved so that the central axis of the crucible describes a substantially conical surface with an apex located substantially on the central axis and spaced from the bottom of the crucible by a distance equal to or less than the crucible height. The crucible is restrained against rotation about its own axis.