A plasma furnace is a specialized device used primarily in electrometallurgy for melting substances, particularly metals and ceramics.
It uses plasma generated by an electric arc heater known as a plasmatron.
The plasma, a high-temperature ionized gas, allows for precise temperature control and operation in various atmospheres.
This enhances the purity and quality of the final product.
8 Key Features and Applications
1. Temperature Control and Stability
Plasma furnaces offer high stability in the melting process.
They allow continuous adjustment of temperature by altering the electrical conditions of the plasmatron.
This feature is crucial for maintaining precise metallurgical processes and ensuring the quality of the final product.
2. Atmosphere Control
These furnaces can operate in practically any desired atmosphere.
This is beneficial for controlling the chemical reactions during melting.
It also helps prevent oxidation or other unwanted reactions in sensitive materials.
3. High Alloying Additions Efficiency
Plasma furnaces are known for their high degree of adoption of alloying additions.
This means they can effectively incorporate elements into the melt to achieve specific alloy compositions.
4. Reduction of Impurities
The use of plasma helps in decreasing the impurities content.
This is particularly important for smelting low-carbon steels and alloys.
It leads to higher purity metals and alloys.
5. Specialized Applications
Plasma furnaces can be used for smelting nitrided steels using gaseous nitrogen.
They are also suitable for melting ceramics, offering high product purity and the ability to cast ceramics.
6. Design Variations
Plasma furnaces come in various designs, including horizontal, multiple-chamber, and vertical configurations.
These designs differ from conventional vacuum furnaces primarily in the electrical isolation of the load, the plasma current feed-through, the high-voltage generator for creating plasma, and the gas dosage and distribution system.
7. Continuous Remelting Process
In a typical setup with a crystallizer, the furnace can continuously remelt materials.
It coordinates the movement of the blank and the extraction of the solid ingot, ensuring a uniform and efficient process.
8. Wide Pressure Range Operation
Some plasma furnaces are designed for melting in a scull, allowing them to operate in a wide pressure range.
This capability is particularly useful for making steel castings, high-temperature alloys, and refractory metals.
It also allows for holding the liquid metal bath for extended periods to perform additional operations like alloying and sampling.
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