METHOD FOR MAKING INGOTS OF COPPER AND ITS ALLOYS Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC C22B9/20 C22C9/00 

FIELD: special electrometallurgy, namely production of copper alloys by vacuum electric arc refining of consumable electrode.

SUBSTANCE: method comprises steps of loading consumable electrode into crystallizer arranged furnace along the same axis as calcine secured to electrode holder; evacuating furnace; igniting electric arc between lower end of calcine and upper end of consumable electrode; melting crater of liquid metal on upper end of consumable electrode; welding consumable electrode to calcine due to descending electrode holder with calcine until it rests upon end of consumable electrode; cooling; opening furnace and evaluating quality of welding; evacuating furnace and performing vacuum electric arc refining of consumable electrode into crystallizer. Before melting crater of liquid metal on end of consumable electrode, upper end of consumable electrode is heated by means of electric arc at specific power 0.05 - 0.06 kWt/cm during period determined by expression: τ≥ a x [1 - exp(-b x M x q)] where τ - time period of heating consumable electrode, s; a = 1200 s; b = 4 x 10 ^-2 cm²/kWt x kg; M - mass of consumable electrode, kg; q - specific power of electric arc at heating consumable electrode, kWt/cm. Then specific power value of electric arc is increased and after melting crater consumable electrode is welded to calcine.

EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of melting cycle, less loss of yield, lowered labor consumption of welding operation due to reliable joining of consumable electrode and calcine.

1 tbl