Thermodynamic analysis of the processes during electron beam melting and refining of copper

Abstract

In the paper, results are presented and discussed obtained by thermodynamic analysis of the refining processes of copper aimed at removing metal impurities and oxygen via electron beam melting (EBM) in vacuum. Thermodynamic evaluations of the possible chemical interactions between the base metal (Cu) and the metal impurities present in Cu that can proceed during the refining of copper are made based on the calculated values of the Gibbs free energy and equilibrium constants taking into account the physical state of copper and of the metal impurities during EBM.