The effect of oxygen content T [O

]

on distribution

size and morphology of sulfide inclusions in 160 mm × 160 mm cast billet of Y1215 free cutting steel and the deformation status of sulfide inclusions in hot rolling to φ8.0 mm coil are studied. The results show that with the increase of oxygen content

the size and distribution of sulfide inclusions in cast billets have no obvious difference; but the complex inclusions increase including MnS as core covered or adhered by MnO-SiO

2

and MnO-SiO

2

-Al

2

O

3

as core adhered by MnS. In the φ8.0 mm rolled coil rod

rod as T [O

]

0.0074%

the sulfide deformation in the wire

rod is obvious

part of the sulfide is broken because of serious tensile deformation

the length-width ratio of sulfide is 23.2

as T[O

]

0.0145%

the sulfide deformation along the rolling direction is small mainly in the spindle shape with length-width ratio3.4.For Y1215 free cutting steel

in order to obtain spherical or spindle sulfide inclusions

the T [0

]

in smelting steel can be controlled between 0 0095% and 0 0145%