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U.S. Department of Energy
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Metal vapor plasma behavior during vacuum arc remelting of alloy 718

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5529938
; ;  [1];  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Teledyne Allvac Corp., Monroe, NC (United States)
  3. Concarsc Corp., Rancocas, NJ (United States)
  4. Strohecker Corp., East Palestine, OH (United States)

A production vacuum arc remelt (VAR) furnace was modified to enable direct viewing of the metal vapor arc and molten electrode tip during melting of 432 mm dia. alloy 718 electrodes into 508 mm dia. ingots. Diffuse and constricted arcing conditions were characterized using high speed cinematography, standard video format, and monochromatic imaging. Constricted arcing was observed while melting electrodes contaminated with oxide slag of the type used for refractory linings in vacuum induction furnaces. Monochromatic imaging was used in visualize the ion distribution in the arc plasma; these images clearly showed whether the arc operated in a diffuse or constricted model. Diffuse arc melting conditions were very similar to those previously reported in the literature for smaller laboratory sized melts.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5529938
Report Number(s):
SAND-92-0594C; CONF-9205142--1; ON: DE92011761
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English