Abstract: The contents of rare earth metals(REM) in solid solution in 16 Mn steel were determined by means of inductive coupling plasma (ICP) spectroscopy.The amount of REM in solid solution is only a few ppm in the steel with MnS inclusions, which rises slightly with the increasing of REM content in steel.At RE/S>1.9,the MnS inclu- sions in steel disappear completely,the REM con- tent in solid solution increases rapidly with the in- creasing of REM content.The solubility of cerium in 16 Mn steel(st 52)is less than 0.011 wt—% at room temperature. The results obtained indicate that REM in sol- id solution reduce the amount of pearlite and in- crease that of ferrite and its microhardness.Dis- solved REM oculd increase temperature of critical points,alleviate band structnre and suppress growth of austenite grains.

Key words: rare earth, inductive coupling plasma, solid solution