Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating molten metal to lower the oxygen, hydrogen, and, to some extent, the nitrogen content thereof in a manner which is less capital intensive, easier to operate and simpler in construction and operation than the vacuum arc degassing system.

Abstract: An improved electric arc furnace provides increased capacity and reduced operating costs. The furnace has an ob-round shape which locates sidewalls further from the source of heat. The improved furnace can accept a larger scrap charge and provides a larger surface area for slag reactions to take place. All of these advantages are obtained without the need for building new foundations or ancillary equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for post-melting treatment of molten steel in which a container of molten steel is subjected to a sub-atmospheric pressure generated by air ejector means and, simultaneously, to an inert gas purge. A higher inert gas purge rate is used with an air ejector system than with a steam jet ejector system because the treatment pressure in the air ejector system is higher than the treatment pressure in the steam jet system. Heating means for at least partially compensating for heat loss is also disclosed.

Abstract: Molten steel is refined by a method that includes the steps of isolation from contact with the ambient and atmosphere, motion of the molten steel so that portions of the molten steel remote from the surface up to the surface, and addition of heat to the portions of the molten steel at the surface from a heating arc.

Abstract: A method of refining steel in the ladle using a low melting point slag is disclosed. Both ELS and resulfurized steels are subjected to the simultaneous effect of a vacuum and a purging agent, preferably an inert gas, to lower the H.sub.2 content into the flake-free range irrespective of the chemistry of the steel, and heat is added via AC arcs from non-consumable electrodes at a temperature only slightly higher than the solidication temperature of the steel, preferably about 2840.degree. F. Steel produced thereby is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ladle steelmaking process in which ramp modulation of vacuum boil, voltage shedding to avoid glow and multiple stirring sources are employed individually, or in any combination, with the basic vacuum are degassing parameters (vacuum, purging and AC area) to shorten cycle time, and apparatus therefore.

Abstract: A machinery steel intended for rugged operating conditions, such as continuous casting rolls, and have near isotropic properties due to the controlled use of calcium, aluminum and melting techniques, and having the following constituents and characteristics:______________________________________ C from about .15 to about .25 Mn from about .75 to about 1.25 Si from about .15 to about .50 Ni from about 1.00 to about 1.50 Cr from about 1.00 to about 1.50 Mo from about .35 to about .45 V from about .04 to about .06 Al from about .010 to about .035 Cu up to .35 max. P up to .025 max. S up to .025 max. H.sub.2 up to 2.5 ppm max. O.sub.2 up to 40 ppm max. Ca from about 15 ppm to about 50 ppm, Fe balance, plus usual non-deleterious impurities, ______________________________________said steel being further characterized by the presence of Type III sulfides being predominate over Type II sulfides.

Abstract: A steel is disclosed having a broad composition range as follows:______________________________________ C .50-.60 Mn .75-.95 S Usual P Usual Si .15-.35 Cr .85-1.15 Ni .60-2.00 Mo .25-.55 V .0-.30 Al .015-.30 Ti .003-.0075 ______________________________________Balance--Substantially all Fe with the usual impurities.

Abstract: A method of producing steel, particularly stainless steel with a high Cr content, having a C content of 0.03% or less which consists of firstly, lowering the C content of a molten steel bath into the preferred range of about 0.2% to about 0.4% by treating the bath with gaseous oxygen under atmospheric pressure, and secondly, subjecting the steel bath to the simultaneous effect of agitation, as by the passage of an inert gas upwardly there through, and a sub-atmospheric pressure until the C content is lowered into the desired low range.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for consistently and economically lowering the sulfur content of steel into the 0.003/0.006 range and preferably to 0.003 maximum, which involves conditioning the steel near the end of, or immediately after, melt-down in the melting unit, followed by subjection to a highly basic, fluidized slag and violent agitation under vacuum conditions.