Abstract: This paper presents results of research carried out in order to specify the influence of the rare earth metals on the morphology of the occuring non-metallic inclusions as well as on the cracking mechanism of GP240GH cast carbon steel and G17CrMo5-5 (0.18%C, 1.2%Cr, 0.53%Mo) high temperature cast steel. The tests have been performed on successive industrial melts adding rare earth metals to the ladle during tapping of heat melt from the furnace. It was found that ball-shaped non-metalic inclusions occuring as a result of the rare earth metals influence are heterogenic and they significantly influence the cracking mechanism of Charpy specimens and the impact strength. The morphology of the specimens fracture surface has been substantially changed as a result of the rare earth metals modification. The impact strength of the tested cast carbon steel increased from 100 J/cm2 to ca 155 J/cm2, and the high-temperature cast steel from 30 J/cm2 to ca 100 J/cm2.
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