Abstract: This is an improved electrode for consumable vacuum arc melting of zirconium and titanium alloys, for alloys containing a low melting point alloying material or for very low oxygen zirconium. Electrodes of this type use a low resistance spar extending substantiallly the length of the electrode, with this spar being substantially free of any unalloyed low melting point material. The improvement utilizes attachment by wedging of the external members to the spar core. Preferably the wedging is accomplished by rotation of the external member with respect to the spar core.

Abstract: This is an electrode for consumable arc melting of zirconium and titanium alloys containing a low melting point alloy constituent. The electrode uses a low resistance spar extending substantially the length of the electrode and being substantially free of any unalloyed low melting point alloy constituent. The external member containing unalloyed low melting point constituent is attached to the spar member in a manner to provide a relatively high resistance through the external member in an axial direction of the electrode. During operation, this minimizes resistance heating of the external member away from the arc and thus premature melting of unalloyed low melting point constituent is generally avoided.