Electric arc furnace and medium frequency induction furnace

Electric arc furnaces are large in size and high equipment investment, so only enterprises with a certain scale use electric arc furnaces. Compared with the electric arc furnace, the intermediate frequency induction furnace has a lower cost and is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

 1. Application field

The electric arc furnace is an electric furnace that uses the high temperature generated by the electrode arc to smelt ores and metals. For smelting metals, electric arc furnaces are more flexible than other steelmaking furnaces. They can effectively remove impurities such as sulfur and phosphorus. The furnace temperature is easy to control, and the equipment occupies a small area. It is suitable for the smelting of high-quality alloy steel. Electric arc furnaces are large in size and high in equipment investment, generally more than 3 tons. Therefore, only enterprises with a certain scale use electric arc furnaces.

The intermediate frequency magnetic field has a magnetic stirring effect on the molten metal, which is conducive to uniform composition and scum. The intermediate frequency induction furnace is very convenient to install and operate, and it is convenient to replace the furnace body of different weights, different materials, and different starting methods to meet various melting requirements. The intermediate frequency induction furnace is suitable for various metal smelting and various casting processes. Compared with electric arc furnaces, intermediate frequency furnace steelmaking has a lower cost and is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. 

2. Phosphorus removal, sulfur removal and deoxidation capacity 

Electric arc furnace is better than induction furnace in removing phosphorus, sulfur and deoxidizing ability. The induction furnace is cold slag, and the slag temperature is maintained by the heat provided by the molten steel. The electric arc furnace is a hot slag, and the slag is heated by an electric arc. Dephosphorization and desulfurization can be completed through the slag, and the slag is fully diffused and deoxidized. Therefore, the ability of electric arc furnace to remove phosphorus, sulfur and oxygen is better than that of induction furnace. 

3. Nitrogen content

The nitrogen content in steel smelted by electric arc furnace is higher than that in induction furnace, because nitrogen molecules in the air in the high temperature zone of the arc are ionized into atoms and then absorbed by molten steel. Induction furnace smelting alloy has lower nitrogen content than electric arc furnace, and higher oxygen content than electric arc furnace. The alloy has a higher rapid life value than electric arc furnace.

4. Burn rate 

In induction furnace smelting, it can effectively recover the alloying elements in the return material. During arc furnace smelting, the alloying elements in the return material are first oxidized into the slag, and then reduced from the slag to the molten steel. The volatilization and oxidation loss of the elements at the high temperature of the arc significantly increase the burning loss rate. The burning loss rate of alloying elements in induction furnace smelting is lower than that of electric arc furnaces, especially the burning loss rate of alloying elements in the return material loaded with the furnace, which is much higher than that of induction furnaces.

5. Carbon increase 

The induction furnace relies on the principle of induction heating to melt the metal charge without carbon increase in molten steel. The electric arc furnace relies on graphite electrodes to heat the charge through the electric arc, and the molten steel will increase carbon after melting. Under normal conditions, when smelting high-alloy nickel-chromium steel, the carbon content of electric arc furnace smelting is 0.06%, and that of induction furnace smelting can reach 0.020%. The carbon increase in the electric arc furnace smelting process is 0.020%, and that of the induction furnace is 0.010%.

6. Data control

Induction furnace smelting, adjusting temperature, refining time, stirring intensity, and maintaining constant temperature are all more convenient than electric arc furnaces, and can be carried out at any time. It occupies a relatively important position in the smelting of high-alloy steels and alloys. It can produce products independently, and can also be combined with secondary refining such as electroslag remelting and vacuum self-consumption to form a dual process for production. Therefore, non-vacuum intermediate frequency induction furnace smelting has become an important smelting method for the production of special steels and alloys such as high-speed steel, heat-resistant steel, stainless steel, electrothermal alloys, precision alloys, and high-temperature alloys, and has been widely used. volume_upcontent_copyshare