Study of Single-Power, Two-Circuit ESR Process with Current-Carrying Mold: Development of the Technique and Its Physical Simulation

Physical simulation of a single-power, two-circuit electroslag remelting (ESR) process with current conductive mold (ESR-STCCM) is carried out in this paper. Wood alloy and sodium chloride solution are used to study the current distribution ratio of passing electrode and conductive part of current carrying mold (conductor). A conventional ESR (CESR) process has been studied as a comparison. The total current of ESR-STCCM is larger than the CESR process, which indicates that the resistance in ESR-STCCM is smaller than in CESR. Results show that the ratio of I _electrode/I _conductor changes with filling ratio, electrode immersion depth, and effective conductor height. Electrode immersion depth plays an important role on the current distribution ratio. Nevertheless, the effective conductor height has a little influence on the current distribution ratio. A larger filling ratio has an obvious effect on the current distribution ratio in ESR-STCCM. Current flowing through the electrode increases with the increasing of electrode immersion depth under a certain filling ratio. The physical model established can provide an important direction to real ESR-STCCM.