Alternate charge materials: problems and prospects of utilizing in electric arc and induction furnaces

Electric Are and Induction furnaces are classifiable with the preferential charges they use. Arc furnace is versatile because refining operations can be done in it for compositional adjustments. Induction furnace is basically a melting and alloying unit. During the last forty years the quality of steel has undergone gradual modification. In earlier days P&S levels of 0.05% in steel compositions were good enough for most of the uses but today one requires P&S < 0.025 in most cases and in particular usages the same is to be kept < 0.015. These gradually changing stringent requirements on the quality of steels coupled with economy of production has compelled the manufacturers not only to look for alternative charges but also for the alternative processes. Paper discusses these aspects in the light of present day requirements.