Abstract |
Several melting and casting techniques that have been successfully used for purifying refractory metals were evaluated as methods of upgrading automotive scrap steel. These methods included (1) nonconsumable electrode arc melting, (2) electron beam melting, (3) vacuum arc melting, (4) vacuum induction melting, and (5) electroslag remelting. The removal of copper, chromium, and tin from the scrap was of primary interest because these impurity elements are not removed during the steelmaking process but are known to adversely affect the mechanical properties of steel. The optimum conditions for impurity removal by the melting techniques were determined using simulated auto scrap in small-scale melting experiments. Once these conditions were established, they were used to melt actual auto scrap obtained from a commercial source. Evaluation of the processed material was made by chemical analysis, metallographic examination, and mechanical property measurements. (Author) |