The aims of the project are twofold. Firstly establishing the extent to which trace elements such as Al, Mg and Ca transfer into liquid steel, either from the magnesia itself or from the anti-oxidants, which are added to magnesia- carbon refractories. Secondly specifying and testing refractory compositions consistent with minimising the formation of undesirable inclusions, which originate, either directly or indirectly, from the trace elements. Complementary work will provide a means of accurately measuring the concentrations of trace elements in steels. The optimum levels of anti-oxidant additions to restrict the rate of transfer of the trace elements will be specified, different refractories will be developed and tested. Thermodynamic and kinetic models describing the transfer processes of the trace elements will also be developed.