ELECTROSLAG REFINING FLUX Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: ferrous metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to electrometallurgy and, more specifically, to electroslag refining of metals that can be used for working tool steel. Proposed flux contains part of components, in particular, calcium, aluminum, and silicon oxides, and to some extent magnesium oxide incorporated therein in the form of regenerated blast furnace slag formed by desulfurization of blast furnace slag in emulsion- and flow-drop-mode processes. Components are used in the following proportions, wt.%: regenerated blast furnace slag, 75-80; magnesium oxide, 15-20; and calcium fluoride, 4-5; slag is composed, wt.%: silicon oxide, 40-45; calcium oxide, 40-42; aluminum oxide, 10-12; magnesium oxide, 8-9; and sulfur, <0.2. Introduction of regenerated blast furnace slag makes it possible to abolish high-priced technologies for separately preparing each slag component involved. In addition, necessity of expenses on ensuring transportation and storage conditions for separately prepared flux components is avoided. Reduced level of calcium fluoride to its limits ensuring normal proceeding of electroslag refining process, in particular, ensuring required fluidity of slag and conductance of fusion, also contributes to reduced cost price of flux and, additionally, leads to reduced emission of fluoric compounds into atmosphere. EFFECT: enhanced process efficiency. 1 tbl