Electrometallurgy Today, 2021, №02



2021 №02 (07)

DOI of Article 10.37434/sem2021.02.01

2021 №02 (02)

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Electrometallurgy Today (Sovremennaya Elektrometallurgiya), 2021, #2, 3-12 pages

Electrochemical processes in electroslag melting (Review)

G.P. Stovpchenko, A.V. Kadilnikova

E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the NAS of Ukraine. 11 Kazymyr Malevych Str., Kyiv, 03150, Ukraine. E-mail: office@paton.kiev.ua

Abstract
Electroslag remelting is the leading processes of special melting for high-quality steels and alloys production. In terms of mechanical (especially plasticity), service properties, density and cleanness, the ESR steels significantly shift the similar materials produced by methods of traditional metallurgy. The degree of steel composition refining depends on slag chemistry and properties, which determine the thermal efficiency and affects the temperature regime of a metal bath and conditions of an ingot solidification. Electrolysis is not the primary process and purpose of ESR; however, since the transfer of electric current in molten slags is carried out by ions mainly, the electrochemical reactions change the composition of both the slag and metal. The article analyzes state-of-the-art research revealing the nature of electrochemical processes and the main cathodic and anodic reactions at the ESR-type processes using direct current, in view of the possibilities of obtaining less sulphur and oxygen content in the steel. The effect of direct current polarity onto an electrode melting rate are considered. The topical issues for further research on the electrochemical side of the ESR process have been outlined in order to increase its efficiency and create new applications of the process. Ref. 60, Fig. 8. Keywords: electroslag remelting; slag; ionic melt; electrochemical; cathodic and anodic reactions; electrical conductivity; viscosity; electrode polarity

Received 23.06.2021

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