Evolution of ESR Technology and Equipment for Long Hollow Ingots Manufacture

In this paper development of both ESR technology and equipment for hollow ingot manufacture review and analysis are presented. The real complications of hollow ingot manufacture and some tendentious issues which restrict process dissemination are discussed. An actual data of modern manufacture of as-cast pipes for heat and power engineering by traditional ESR with consumable electrode are given. Results of microstructure and nonmetal inclusion investigations have shown the high quality of as-cast ESR pipes. On the basis of these results the possibility to produce huge ESR hollows (up 5000 mm in dia) with final goal drastically to reduce setting ratio on forged shells and rings or even replace it by ESR hollows as-cast is grounded. Two new ESR technologies — consumable electrodes change and liquid metal usage — have passed pilot tests for heavy hollow production and shown very prospective results to be presented.