GB1089456A - Improvements in or relating to the production by fusion of a metallic mass - Google Patents

Abstract

1,089,456. Casting processes; continuouscasting machines; casting composite ingots; consumable electrodes; rolling. LA SOUDURE ELECTRIQUE AUOTGENE, PROCEDES ARCOS. Oct. 22, 1964 [Nov. 28, 1963], No. 43050/64. Headings B3F, B3M and B3R. In an ingot-manufacturing process of the type in which a consumable electrode comprising compacted metallic powder penetrates continuously into electrically-heated molten slag 3 covering molten and solid metal 15, 4 in a watercooled mould 5, the electrode is formed by passing a wire 14 at constant speed through a container 19 where it is coated with metallic powder 13 compacted by a rotating feed screw 20. Members 5, 14 are connected to an electrical supply 7, and a protecting gas-filled shroud 23 may be provided for the electrode. If the powder is magnetic, agglomeration and compacting may be achieved by passing the electrode between electromagnetic coils after its emergence from the container 19, Fig. 11 (not shown). Mixing of the molten materials may be improved by using a medium frequency heating supply (e.g. 300 cycles) and/or by using a non-magnetic mould surrounded by an electromagnetic coil, Fig. 18 (not shown). Ultrasonic vibrations may be used if a fine crystalline structure is desired. The electrode may comprise metal strip having compacted powder on one or both sides, and compaction may be performed by passing the powder-coated wire or strip between suitably-shaped rollers, Figs. 7 to 10 (not shown). In another modification, Fig. 12 (not shown), the electrode is entirely composed of compacted powder. The arrangement of Fig. 5 may be modified to perform continuous casting of lengths of metal extracted from a bottomless mould by driving rollers therebeneath, Figs. 13, 15 and 17 (not shown). Fig. 19 shows an arrangement for producing a composite ingot. Reference is also made to a mould closing around metallic parts to be joined and to a mould comprising several parts of which only some are cooled to join other uncooled sections. Typical figures are given for electrode dimensions, composition, fusion speed and energy consumption, and a comparison is made with various prior art electrodes.