Methods of adding reactive metals to form a remelting electrode

This invention relates to methods of adding reactive metals to molten baths and particularly to a method of adding reactive metals to a molten metal ingot or casting such as an electrode for electroslag remelting (ESR), vacuum arc remelting, plasma arc remelting, electron beam remelting or similar remelting techniques.

The problems which are common to present day methods of adding reactive metals to molten baths are well known and long recognized. It is well known that large proportions of added reactive metals are lost in normal practice by contact with refractory linings, with slag and with air. It is also known that there is frequently a marked difference from one ingot to another in a series of ingots cast from melts to which a reactive metal has been added and that this is particularly true from first to last ingot.

We have found a method of adding reactive metals, such as lanthanum, which eliminates these problems.

Preferably, we provide an elongated member containing the reactive metal extending vertically generally from top to bottom of a mold and proportioned to feed the metal uniformly into the mold as the mold is filled with molten metal to be treated. Preferably, we suspend a tube filled with the reactive metal or an alloy thereof axial of the mold so that as the metal rises in the mold, the tube melts off in the molten metal releasing the reactive metal into the molten mass.

In some instances it may be desirable to encapsulate the reactive metal in the cast electrode as an integral but distinct core so that it is released during subsequent remelting of the electrode rather than during casting of the electrode as just described. In such event, we provide a tube or member e.g. of thick walled construction, such that the member is not distributed into the molten metal but is encapsulated as the metal cools as an elongated core and is then subsequently melted during the remelting operation. Prior to filling the mold with molten alloy we have found it to be good practice to purge the mold with an inert gas such as argon.

In the foregoing general description, we have outlined certain objects, purposes and advantages of this invention. Other objects, purposes and advantages will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section through an apparatus for practicing this invention; and

FIG. 2 is a section on the line II--II of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, we have illustrated an ESR electrode mold 10 on a stool 11, both of conventional form. A tube 12 filled with LaSi 13 (or other reactive metal or alloy) is suspended by a chain 14 from the bottom of a tundish 15 into which molten metal is poured and delivered through nozzle 16 into mold 10. The mold 10 is purged with inert gas. As the molten metal 17 rises in mold 10, the tube 12 is melted off and the reactive metal is dissolved into the metal.

It is, of course, obvious that the axial member need not be a tube filled with reactive metal but may be an elongated formed member of the reactive metal in a compatible matrix.

The tube 12 may be restricted along its length so as to compartment the reactive metal and prevent its flowing out of the end when the end is melted off as pouring beings. This restriction may be accomplished by pinching, crimping or otherwise constricting or compartmenting the tube at spaced intervals along its length. This restriction will also provide, in effect, successive metered charges of reactive metal as the molten metal to be treated rises in the mold.

Inherent in this invention are a number of advantages not available in present methods. These are: (A) the lanthanum or other reactive metal addition is distributed uniformly from top to bottom of the cast electrode, (B) there is no loss of the reactive metal by reaction with refractories such as those found in ladles, furnaces or tundishes because the molds are not lined with ceramic and solidification at the mold metal interface is almost instantaneous, (C) because slag is not present, with the reactive metal, there is no loss of the addition via slag-addition interaction, (D) reaction of the reactive metal with air is minimal because the addition melts after it is submerged in molten alloy and because the mold represents a near closed system from which air can be purged by argon or other inert gas, (E) because losses due to reactions with air and refractory is minimal the amount of undesirable oxide inclusions in the electrode are minimal, (F) because reactive metal recovery is high, less of it need be added and therefore costs are reduced especially when the more expensive elements such as yttrium or lanthanum are added, (G) because less of the reactive metal need be added, less of the alloying agents such as Fe, Ni, Cr, Si, Al, etc. often commonly associated with reactive elements are added to the system resulting in easier control of these elements.

In the foregoing specification, I have described certain preferred practices of our invention, however, it will be understood that this invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.