METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTROSLAG HEATING OF METAL Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: method involves directing electric current through electrodes connected to opposite poles of electric current source and located in current-conductive molten slag in vessel having metal cooled walls; cooling metal under treatment process, with glass-like slag being used in the process; placing metal to be treated completely into molten slag while preventing said metal from contacting with metal cooled walls of said vessel by means of lining slag layer; heating metal by electric contacting thereof through current-conductive molten slag with electrodes manufactured from glassy carbon. Apparatus has vessel with metal cooled walls equipped with lining slag layer and electrodes partly submerged into current-conductive slag melt and connected to opposite poles of electric current source. Electrodes are manufactured from glassy carbon and partly submerged into glass-based current-conductive slag melt. Method allows homogeneity and purity extent of base product to be increased and its workability during mechanical processes, namely, stamping, rolling, milling, forging, pressing to be improved, and heated metal to be protected from action of furnace and atmospheric gases. EFFECT: wider operational capabilities, provision for uniform heating of metal and improved qualities of final metal and articles fabricated from it. 5 cl, 1 dwg