Abstract: An electroslag remelting or refining method and arrangement for removing undesired elements, particularly H.sub.2 and O.sub.2, from metals. A water-cooled mold having a bottom plate is adapted to being raised in known manner. A growing metal ingot solidifying in the mold has a solidified portion and a liquid metal sump portion. A layer of molten slag covers the liquid metal sump. A self-consuming electrode extends into the slag. An a.c. source is connected between the electrode and bottom plate. Oppositely-poled auxiliary electrodes are included which are in electrical contact with the slag cover, the auxiliary electrodes being connected to opposite polarity terminals of a d.c. source.

Abstract: An arrangement for the production of ingots from high-melting metals, such as steel, by electroslag-remelting is disclosed. A water-cooled ingot mold including a bottom plate forms the solidifying ingot, the ingot being a solidifying portion and a liquid sump. A self-consuming electrode extends into a layer of molten slag covering the liquid sump. An a.c. source is connected between the plate and self-consuming electrode. The mold is adapted to be raised in a known manner. At least one tubular auxiliary electrode is provided with a plasma-forming gas. A d.c. source is connected to the auxiliary electrode and the bottom plate of the mold, the d.c. source being independent of the a.c. source. Various forms of the auxiliary electrode are described.