FIELD: production of alloys, particularly, methods of melting with consumable electrodes. SUBSTANCE: method of formation of deformed product from initial metal such as tantalum, niobium or their alloys is realized with use of consumable electrode coated with, at least, one layer of alloy with the help of means ensuring its uniform thickness. Applied to electrode body is power sufficient for arc formation for melting initial metal and layer of alloy with formation of bath of molten metal in crucible. Uniform layer on electrode body serves as means for supply of minimal amounts of alloy to large amount of initial metal and alleviates formation of uniform and required arc that contributes to mixing of melt and initial material in crucible. Electrode body is consumed at high rate without affecting yield of product by final weight of ingot. Molten metal is solidified to form ingot. Then, ingot is processed into deformable product. In addition, a group of inventions offers means for mixing of molten alloy with molten initial material without contamination of bath of metal melt with impurities of crucible. EFFECT: uniform distribution of desired amount of alloy in large amount of initial material simultaneously with melting of body of consumable electrode, making of smooth arc-forming surface of electrode with no projections, which minimizes arc formation in direction of crucible walls. 24 cl, 12 dwg
