Abstract: A vacuum arc remelting (VAR) system for forming an ingot from an electrode is disclosed. The system includes a crucible assembly configured to accommodate the electrode and the ingot. The system includes a primary electromagnetic energy source arranged about the crucible assembly. The primary electromagnetic energy source and the crucible assembly are configured to move relative to one another along a longitudinal axis of the crucible assembly. The system includes a secondary electromagnetic energy source arranged about an upper end portion of the crucible assembly. The secondary electromagnetic energy source is stationary and fixed to the upper end portion of the crucible assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for cementitious shielding compositions, methods of making the cementitious shielding composition, structures incorporating the concrete cementitious shielding composition, and the like, where the cementitious shielding composition includes elemental boron and/or a boron compound, for example as boron particles. The boron particles can be homogeneously distributed throughout the cementitious shielding composition and can have a largest least dimension of about 100 microns or less. The present disclosure, in some aspects, can reduce or eliminate problems associated with minerals found in concrete aggregates, because those materials are degraded over time by neutron radiation, which leads to disorganized lattice structures, manifested as damage by radiation-induced volumetric expansion (RIVE), and potentially further damage from alkali-silica reaction (ASR).

Abstract: A method of vacuum arc remelting an ingot provided in a crucible assembly having an electrode includes generating a rotating magnetic field normal to a longitudinal axis of the ingot and localized to an arc region during remelting. The rotating magnetic field interacts with a melting current to produce a rotating arc directed radially outward.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide for cement, cement paste, cementitious paste, cementitious mortar, and concrete, methods of making cement, cement paste, cementitious paste, cementitious mortar, and concrete, structures incorporating the concrete, and the like, where the cement, cement paste, cementitious paste, cementitious mortar, and the concrete include elemental boron and/or one or more boron compounds (e.g., boron-doped cement, cement paste, cementitious paste, cementitious mortar, and concrete). The boron and/or a boron compound can be homogeneously distributed throughout the cement, cement paste, cementitious paste, cementitious mortar and/or concrete.

Abstract: A method of vacuum arc remelting an ingot provided in a crucible assembly having an electrode includes generating a rotating magnetic field normal to a longitudinal axis of the ingot and localized to an arc region during remelting. The rotating magnetic field interacts with a melting current to produce a rotating arc directed radially outward.

Abstract: A control system includes a vision system including an imaging device and a VAR monitoring system configured to determine a power adjustment phase of the VAR process based on the images from the vision system and a process parameter. The VAR monitoring system includes a vision analysis module configured to analyze the images from the vision system to detect a melt marker based on a remelt image process model, and a prediction module configured to predict an operational characteristic of the VAR process that is associated with the power adjustment relative to a melt marker location and a remelt prediction model. The VAR monitoring system is configured to initiate the power adjustment phase in response to the melt marker satisfying a predetermined melt marker condition, the operational characteristic of the VAR process satisfying a predetermined operational condition, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A vacuum arc remelting system for forming an ingot from an electrode is provided that includes a crucible assembly configured to accommodate the electrode and the ingot, an electromagnetic energy source arranged about the crucible assembly, and a lift mechanism operable to move the electromagnetic energy source along a longitudinal axis of the crucible assembly. A magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic energy source is localized to an arc region during remelting, and in one form, the electromagnetic energy source is a coil assembly having a magnetic core and a plurality of coil pairs wrapped around the core, wherein the coil assembly is operable to generate a magnetic field from the coil based on electric current flowing in the plurality of coil pairs.

Abstract: A vacuum arc remelting system for forming an ingot from an electrode is provided that includes a crucible assembly configured to accommodate the electrode and the ingot, an electromagnetic energy source arranged about the crucible assembly, and a lift mechanism operable to move the electromagnetic energy source along a longitudinal axis of the crucible assembly. A magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic energy source is localized to an arc region during remelting, and in one form, the electromagnetic energy source is a coil assembly having a magnetic core and a plurality of coil pairs wrapped around the core, wherein the coil assembly is operable to generate a magnetic field from the coil based on electric current flowing in the plurality of coil pairs.