What is electroslag remelting?

Electroslag remelting (ESR) is a special metallurgical method mainly used for refining various alloy structural steels, heat-resistant steels, bearing steels, die steels, high-temperature alloys, etc. The basic principle is to use the resistance heat generated by the current passing through the molten slag to remelt and refine metals or alloys, and to sequentially solidify into steel ingots or castings. During the electroslag remelting process, metal droplets come into full contact with high-temperature, high-basicity molten slag, resulting in strong metallurgical chemical reactions that refine the metal.

The main functions of electroslag remelting include:

1. Improving metal purity, enhancing ingot crystallization, and removing inclusions.
2. The slag system of the electroslag remelting furnace plays a significant role in heat source, protection, shaping, and metallurgical chemistry, greatly affecting product quality and technical-economic indicators.
3. Products from electroslag remelting have characteristics such as metal purity, dense organization, uniform composition, good shaping, smooth surface, and excellent service performance.
4. Electroslag remelting technology can save energy, improve production efficiency, and reduce production costs.

The key technology of the electroslag remelting furnace is the slag system, and the chemical composition of the slag has a significant impact on product quality. The characteristics of the slag include:

- Having a higher resistivity to generate sufficient heat during melting.

- Having a certain basicity for good deoxidation and desulfurization effects.

- Not containing stable oxides, such as MnO, FeO, etc.

- Having good fluidity to ensure full convection heat exchange and liquid physical chemical reactions at high temperatures.

The application range of electroslag remelting furnaces is extensive, not only can it produce various steel grades but also can be used to produce large high-quality alloy steel ingots, special-shaped castings, etc. Through electroslag remelting technology, high-strength, plastic and tough steel can be produced, which is used in high-end equipment manufacturing fields such as aerospace and military industries.