Present Status of Electroslag Remelting Process

The current state of research and development, of the ESR (Electroslag Remelting) process is summarised. Its use in Japan is first outlined, with a list of the types of slag and process in conjuction with which the ESR process is used. Then the actual application of ESR in Japanese industry is discussed; it is stated that for alloys containing Ti and Al, up to now the VAR process has generally been used, but that it is found that the ESR process gives better results as regards product quality. The formula given is (given that when Ti and Al are present it is necessary to control those elements correctly) CaF sub 2 --Al sub 2 O sub 3 slag including TiO sub 2 may be used and produces the following result: 3Ti + 2(Al sub 2 O sub 3 ) = 4Al + 3TiO sub 2 ). The technology for the use of the ESR process, and details of its effects on the slag, depending on the slag composition, are further detailed. ESR may also be used for larger applications, for example for turbine parts (50 kgHT 100-130 mm thickness). Specifically, the methods for ESR steel goods production are stated to be as follows: electroslag casting; electroslag hot topping; Midvale-Heppenstall-Klockner; portioned electroslag casting, and others with fewer product quality advantages, including some promising methods developed in Italy. 59 ref.--J.G.