Abstract A method for plasma-arc remelting of a material under a controlled atmosphere consists in making the material to be remelted in the form of a consumable hollow electrode-bar and electrically melting down the hollow electrode-bar so formed, in a cooled mold before finally stripping the remelted ingot off the mold. The method also includes generating a low temperature plasma at a tip of the consumable electrode which is connected to a power source, by supplying plasma-generating gas into an arcregion, through the hollow of the consumable electrode bar. Stabilizing the plasma-arc during operation without giving rise to transient arc plasma is expediently achieved by feeding preselected amounts of flux into the arc-region, thereby producing an ingot free from flaws and impurities.
A method for plasma-arc remelting of a metal or alloy which is in the form of a consumable bar, under controlled atmospheric conditions, comprising: making said metal or alloy in the form of a hollow consumable bar; movably setting up the hollow bar to dip in a cooled mould in which an ingot of the material of the consumable bar is to be formed; connecting an electrical power supply source between said hollow metal bar and the mould body so as to flash an arc therebetween; delivering a plasma-generating gas through the hollow bar into a space at the end of the bar which dips into the mould so as to generate in said space a low temperature plasma; and shifting of the plasma-arc-zone upwards as the bar melts down and is slowly consumed to shape the material of the hollow bar into the mold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for plasma-arc remelting of a metal or alloy which is in the form of a consumable bar, under controlled atmospheric conditions, comprising: making said metal or alloy in the form of a hollow consumable bar; movably setting up the hollow bar to dip in a cooled mould in which an ingot of the material of the consumable bar is to be formed; connecting an electrical power supply source between said hollow metal bar and the mould body so as to flash an arc therebetween; delivering a plasma-generating gas through the hollow bar into a space at the end of the bar which dips into the mould so as to generate in said space a low temperature plasma; and shifting of the plasma-arc-zone upwards as the bar melts down and is slowly consumed to shape the material of the hollow bar into the mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 which includes the steps of feeding plasma flux material into the plasma arc zone and eliminating formation of transient arc plasma in order to stabilize the arc in said space at said end of the bar.