Modern electroslag technologies of electrode remelting and processing of liquid metal (review)

Abstract

Objective. The results of the analysis of advanced technologies of electroslag remelting are presented. Results It is shown that ESR today is the main and most challenging in obtaining of high quality metal. Protection of the melting chamber and the electrode from the atmosphere by inert gas (IESR) or melting under pressure (PESR) prevents oxidation, which is especially important during remelting of the steels and alloys with high content of easily oxidizable elements. Refusal to use a consumable electrode in the classical ESR in favor of liquid metal, provided by the use of current-suppling mold, is an effective solution to the problem of its manufacture (manufacturing price reaches 40-60% of the cost of ingot production, and in some cases impossible) and reduce energy costs. Scientific novelty. During ESR LM, there is a decrease in temperature of slag and overheating of metal in comparison with classical ESR , the volume of liquid metal bath decreases that followed by improving conditions of ingot formation, at the expense of decrease in development of segregation processes and gives the chance to receive metal of homogeneous composition and structure. Practical significance. The advantages of the new ESR processes are a wide variation of the metal feed rate, less metal overheating and a flat bath, which provides molding with a homogeneous and defect-free internal structure and a smooth surface.