A Future for Vacuum Arc Remelting and Electroslag Remelting—A Critical Perspective

In the secondary metals refining processes, vacuum arc remelting (VAR) and electroslag (ESR), consumable electrode is commonly produced by induction melting (VIM) which employs regrettably primitive casting technique of simply pouring into open top mold. Despite vacuum, resulting oxidizing conditions immensely powerful turbulence accompanying top-pouring now known to create a substantial density serious cracks. The cracks in cast are bifilms (double oxide films), turn proposed be responsible for major faults VAR ingot, including undetectable, horizontal macroscopic cracks, white spots (clean dirty varieties) in-fallen crown. remedial action solve all these issues at stroke provision counter-gravity electrode, air or any similar substantially free from bifilm defects. ESR process also described, explaining reasons its significantly reduced sensitivity top-poured VIM but indicating that with an improved this already nearly reliable has potential perfect reliability. target critical overview assessment processes produce, first time, effectively defect-free metals, we can trust.