Observations of the vacuum arc and metal transfer during vacuum consumable arc remelting
Observations have been made using high speed color photography of the vacuum arc and electrode surfaces during vacuum consumable arc remelting of a maraging steel alloy. Events on the film are coordinated with electrical signals from the vacuum arc. Based upon electrical observations, it was concluded in a previous investigation that metal transfer occurs when liquid metal spikes hanging from the cathode form a low resistance bridge (drop short) by touching the anode and then subsequently rupture. This recently proposed mechanism was visually verified with the exception that actual column rupture occurs after arc re-ignition and not at the instant of re-ignition. Observations have also shown that cathode spot accumulation (attack) plays an important role in impeding metal transfer and that transfer occurs primarily by a bulk type process. Thus, inclusions and any solid particles are transferred with the bulk.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6067657
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-79-0922C; CONF-790442-8
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International conference on metallurgical coatings, San Diego, CA, USA, 23 Apr 1979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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