FIELD: powder metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: apparatus has vessels for pouring molten metal to the level of branch pipe upper opening. Branch pipe is then closed with special plug. Molten current conductive slag is poured onto molten metal surface in one vessel. Second electrode is dipped into slag. When pulsed magnetic field of solenoid is switched on, balls and screen in conjunction with hopper are initiated for oscillation. Steel powder is discharged from hopper into cylindrical graphite electrode and other vessel embraced by solenoid with magnetic core. Steel powder is oriented along magnetic flux under the action of magnetostatic field, and electrical resistance of powder layer is decreased by hundreds thousand times. Current is passed through first and second electrodes to weld powder particles along magnetic flux and melts the particles. In the process of melting steel powder, carbon monoxide creates reduction atmosphere in powder particle layer and is burnt above sand plug surfaces and then removed through plugs. Special plug on upper end of branch pipe is removed, metal is directed into crystallizer till slag with increased viscosity covers branch pipe upper end opening. EFFECT: increased efficiency in heating steel powder and melting. 1 dwg
