Abstract: The invention relates to a process for selectively and continuously extracting a series of desired species from a matrix, comprising the steps of:—injecting a plasma (310) in an extraction chamber by means of a plasma torch,—continuously monitoring (320) the excited elements extracted from the matrix and contained in the plasma by optical emission spectroscopy, and for each species of the series,—setting a distance (330) between the support and the plasma torch, and the composition of the injected plasma as a function of the monitored excited elements so that only one desired species of the series of species is being extracted from the matrix under molecular form, and—providing (400) a plate in the extraction chamber, exterior to the plasma, causing collection of molecules comprising said desired species by deposition onto the surface of the plate.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing a titanium ingot (30), the method being characterized by comprising: a step of melting a titanium alloy for a predetermined time by cold crucible induction melting (CCIM); a step of supplying molten titanium (6) to a cold hearth (10), and separating high density inclusions (HDIs) (8) by precipitation in the cold hearth (10) while spraying a plasma jet or an electron beam onto the bath surface of the molten titanium (6); and a step of supplying a molten titanium starting material from which the HDIs (8) are separated by precipitation to a mold (20) to obtain the titanium ingot.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing a titanium ingot (30), the method being characterized by comprising: a step of melting a titanium alloy for a predetermined time by cold crucible induction melting (CCIM); a step of supplying molten titanium (6) to a cold hearth (10), and separating high density inclusions (HDIs)(8) by precipitation in the cold hearth (10) while spraying a plasma jet or an electron beam onto the bath surface of the molten titanium (6); and a step of supplying a molten titanium starting material from which the HDIs (8) are separated by precipitation to a mold (20) to obtain the titanium ingot.

Abstract: Using plasma arcs generated by plasma torches, the surface of molten metal charged into a mold is heated. EMSs arranged on the lateral sides of the mold are used to stir the surface of the molten metal or the vicinity thereof electromagnetically. Thus, a slab having reduced defects can be cast.

Abstract: Apparatus (300, 400) for laying an elongate member such as a pipe (306) or a rail (472). Material carried by the apparatus is smelted in a furnace (340) and fed to a casting head (342) by which the elongate member is continuously cast. The so cast elongate member is then laid by the apparatus, as it travels on the ground surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing melting of titanium for processing into ingots or end products. The apparatus provides a main hearth, a plurality of optional refining hearths, and a plurality of casting molds or direct molds whereby direct arc electrodes melt the titanium in the main hearth while plasma torches melt the titanium in the refining chambers and/or adjacent the molds. Each of the direct arc electrodes and plasma torches is extendable and retractable into the melting environment and moveable in a circular pivoting or side to side linear motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing melting of titanium for processing into ingots or end products. The apparatus provides a main hearth, a plurality of optional refining hearths, and a plurality of casting molds or direct molds whereby direct arc electrodes melt the titanium in the main hearth while plasma torches melt the titanium in the refining chambers and/or adjacent the molds. Each of the direct arc electrodes and plasma torches is extendable and retractable into the melting environment and moveable in a circular pivoting or side to side linear motion.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and a method for reducing inclusions, shrinkage blowholes, porosity and segregation in metal castings during the casting process, and for improving the grain structure, mechanical properties and yield of ingots and other castings. The apparatus (10) comprises: At least one electrode (14) for forming a moving electric arc (16) over the upper surface (18) of a metallic casting (12) being cast and a stand (20) for suspending the electric arc electrode (14) over the upper surface (18) of the metallic casting (12) during or after pouring and a second electrode (24) attachable to a metallic surface (26) of the mold (28) being used for casting, for completion of an electric circuit (30) including the electric arc (16) and electronic controls (32) connected between the apparatus (10) and a power supply (34).

Abstract: A method of making an article includes forming a molten material by melting at least a portion of a mass of a metal and an alloy. The method further includes forming the article by solidifying at least a portion of the molten material within a mold, and contacting the article with plasma during formation of the article. A method for making an article also is disclosed wherein a molten material is formed by melting at least a portion of a mass of one of a metal and an alloy, the molten material is collected within a mold, and at least a portion of the molten material is magnetohydrodynamically stirred within the mold.

Abstract: A molten steel of a special steel or the like including a high-alloy steel is poured in a mold whose bottom portion is closed with a dummy head of a lift table. As the lift table is vertically moved down at a given casting speed, a casting whose lower end is supported by the dummy head is continuously pulled out from the bottom portion of the mold. As a pair of movable molds that constitute the mold are relatively moved away from each other in synchronism with the downward movement of the lift table, both widthwise side surfaces of the casting are provided with required tapering.

Abstract: The method relates to metallurgical recycling of waste products, preferably titanium alloys chips scrap. Accordingly after crushing and cleaning, the chip scrap is subjected to vacuum-thermal degassing (VTD); the chip scrap is pressed into briquettes; the briquettes are placed into a mould allowing sufficient remaining space for the addition of molten metal alloy; the mould is pre-heated before filling with the molten metal alloy; the mould remaining space is filled with molten metal alloy. After cooling, the electrode is removed from the mould. The method provides a means for 100% use of chip scrap in producing consumable electrodes having increased mechanical strength and reduced interstitial impurities content leading to improved secondary cast alloys.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing metallic ingots or strands, especially from steel and Ni and Co based alloys, by melting self-consuming electrodes in an electroconductive slag bath, using an alternating current or a direct current in a short water-cooled mould which opens downwards, via which an electric contact can be produced for the slag bath. The supplied melt current is passed via the consumable electrode, the bottom plate, the remelt ingot and the melting bath, and optionally at least one electroconductive element of the mould, to the slag bath. The current distribution can be regulated in a controlled manner and the return circuit of the melt current passes back via at least one other electroconductive element of the mould, which is electrically isolated in relation to a first part of the mould which forms the remelt ingot. The proportion of the entire melt current supplied via the bottom plate is selected between 0 and 100%.

Abstract: A method for hearthless processing of a solid metallic material consisting essentially of titanium or other metal or alloy thereof which includes providing a solid metal block having a processing surface and a base surface and consisting essentially of titanium or a metal, forming a pool of molten metal on the processing surface of the solid metal block provided in step, adding the metallic material to be processed to the pool of molten metal formed in step, and melting the metallic material to be processed, and removing metallic material melted in step from the pool of molten metal.

Abstract: In an electroslag remelting point with a mold (4) for forming an ingot from the remelted material of at least one consumable electrode (33), with a body (6) having at least one vertically driven electrode rod (15) for advancing a respective consumable electrode (33), and with a hood (19) which is disposed above the mold (4) and has at least one opening (18) which is concentric with the respective electrode axis (A), a pot-shaped boiler (20) is provided which accommodates the mould (4) and can be joined to the hood (19) to form a chamber (34) which is closed all round, completely encompasses the mould (4, 28) and can be connected via pipelines (22, 23) to a vacuum pump and/or a gas source, so that the chamber (34) can be evacuated or filled with an inert gas.

Abstract: A method for hearthless processing of a solid metallic material consisting essentially of titanium or other metal or alloy thereof which includes providing a solid metal block having a processing surface and a base surface and consisting essentially of titanium or a metal, forming a pool of molten metal on the processing surface of the solid metal block provided in step, adding the metallic material to be processed to the pool of molten metal formed in step, and melting the metallic material to be processed, and removing metallic material melted in step from the pool of molten metal.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for manipulating an electrode comprising a stub, an electrode, and a yoke. The stub is affixed to and protrudes from the electrode, and has a first opening. The yoke is sized to receive at least a portion of the stub, and has a second opening positioned for alignment with the first opening of the stub and receipt of a locking member extending through the first opening and the second opening. The apparatus may include a current conducting tube. The elongated yoke may extend around at least a portion of the stub to be removably pinned thereto. The current conducting tube may extend around the elongated yoke to be in electrical contact with the stub.

Abstract: A locking assembly and a process for electrode or ingot formation that include a stub, a locking member, and a support member. The locking member removably extends through the support member and at least a portion of the stub. Molten material is introduced over the support member and the stub to form the electrode. The electrode and integrated stub may be incorporated into an electrode assembly, including a yoke, a fastening member, a shoe, and a conducting tube.

Abstract: The casting apparatus has a case defining a casting chamber having an open front provided with a door, and a crucible locatable in the chamber for containing metal loads to be cast. An electrode extends through a wall of the chamber and is connectable to a power source for the formation of an electric arc between the electrode and the load in the crucible. A coupling connects the inside of the chamber to a source of pressurized inert gas or to a vacuum pump. A tubular element for containing a mold is removably accommodatable in the chamber at an opening, which is connected to the atmosphere by a vent valve. A fluid-activated jack is provided for tilting the case for pouring molten metal, from the crucible to the mold contained in the tubular element.

Abstract: A method and electrode assembly for use in consumable electrode arc melting of metals and alloys, particularly titanium and titanium-base alloys. The method includes forming an assembly including an electrode of the metal or alloy to be melted. An elongated ring, which is of metal or alloy construction, has one end connected to one end surface of the electrode and another end connected to an electrode holder, which is connected to a source of electrical potential. The ring has an outside diameter less than the outside diameter of the electrode to form an annular marginal area on the end surface of the electrode. This annular marginal area is defined by the ring and the periphery of the end surface of the electrode. This assembly is positioned within a cooled mold of conductive material, which mold is also connected to a source of electrical potential.

Abstract: The pool to be filamented is liquefied by heating in a crucible. A disk having an edge immersed in the molten pool rotates at high velocity and drives the pool outwards in the form of a ribbon which breaks up into pieces forming the required particles. The portion of the pool in contact with the disk is constantly replenished and, owing to the use of heating means, has sufficient fluidity to satisfy the conditions for extraction, the molten pool being continuously moved horizontally with respect to the disk.

Abstract: The method consists in that a flat work in an initial position is oriented horizontally between cooled mold beams. Plasma torches are arranged in line across the parallel side edges so that the anode spots of the extreme torches are confined by said edges of the work. By supplying a plasma forming gas and electric current to the plasma torches the work is heated with the formation of a metal pool which extends across the work from edge to edge. By relatively moving the work and the plasma torches in a horizontal plane and along the edges of the work movement of the metal pool over the surface thereof is effected and thereby a remelted layer as thick as the pool is deep, is obtained. The apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a sealed chamber containing a mold having two beams arranged in a horizontal plane and being parallel to one another.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment described in the specification, continuous casting of fine-grain ingots is effected by supplying molten metal to a mold in which the metal is solidified and an ingot is withdrawn downwardly and controlling the temperature in the central region of the molten metal above the ingot at a level at which small crystallites of metal are formed, but large quantities of solid material are not formed. The desired temperature level may be maintained by visual observation of the surface of the metal or pyrometric detection of the temperature of the surface and control of a directional energy input device such as an electron beam gun or a plasma torch to supply sufficient energy to maintain the desired temperature level.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed which is adapted to consolidate and melt reactive metallic materials, and to produce a "first ingot" which is suitable for subsequent evaluation and qualification under existing specifications for such materials in the aerospace industry. The apparatus comprises an enclosed heating chamber adapted to be substantially evacuated of air, and a hearth is positioned within the chamber for supporting the metallic material to be melted. Also, a plasma arc torch is mounted to the heating chamber, which is operable in the transfer arc mode wherein an arc extends from the rear electrode of the torch to the hearth. The rear electrode of the torch is of elongate tubular configuration, which permits a major portion of the length of the arc to be located within the torch itself, which permits the torch to deliver a high level of power in the vacuum environment within the heating chamber.

Abstract: Cold-hearth melt-spinning apparatus for adapted improved continuous casting of refractory and reactive alloys possesses (1) a cold crucible having a selectively grooved surface operative to reduce both melt "freezing" at the melt/crucible interface and input heating power requirements, and (2) a replaceable nozzle of a refractory material that is friction-fit in an aperture provided therefor in the crucible. The confronting nozzle/crucible walls define a thermally impeding interface which maintains the nozzle at a temperature sufficient to substantially eliminate melt "freezing" in and across the nozzle orifice. The melt is ejected as a molten jet from the crucible by pressure, rapidly quenched on a suitably configured spinning disk into either filaments or flakes, and passed to an environmentally protected processing compartment. Arc heating of the melt is provided by a water-cooled and selectively movable electrode.

Abstract: The raw material in a raw material feeding apparatus of a melting cast installation is supplied, through a guide cylinder vertically mounted inside a furnace wall, towards a melting pot of a casting apparatus. A plurality of plasma arc torches, for heating the raw material, are positioned on the upper rotatable half of said furnace wall and are radially arranged around the axis of said guide cylinder with front ends thereof directed individually towards said melting pot. The raw material feeding apparatus may consist of a rotatable cylindrical drum laid substantially horizontally and a helical compartment wall to define a raw material path inside said cylindrical drum. A cylindrical limiter may be vertically mounted, inside said guide cylinder, for vertical movement so as to form an adjustable annular path for raw material between said limiter and the internal surface of said guide cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for rapid solidification casting of molten high temperature and/or reactive metallic alloys has a heat extraction crucible for containing the alloy in liquid form. A nozzle forms an integral part of the crucible and allows for ejection of a stream of molten metal. The heat extracting crucible and nozzle are protected from the molten alloy by a shell of the alloy which has solidified and prevents reaction between the molten metal and the heat extracting crucible.

Abstract: A method of controlling relative movement between an ingot and a mold consists of monitoring the level of the metal pool in the mold by measuring the voltage between the ingot and a mold section disposed above the metal pool, in contact with the bath of molten slag and insulated electrically from the ingot and from the ingot-forming mold section; comparing an instantaneous value of said voltage with a predetermined value and varying the relative speed of the ingot and the mold depending on a signal proportional to the difference between the instantaneous and the predetermined values of said voltage so that the predetermined level of the metal pool is restored.