Hydrogen Pick-Up During Electroslag Remelting Process

The pick-up of hydrogen during electroslag remelting process for several slags consisting of CaF2-Al2O3-CaO-SiO2-MgO had been investigated. The laboratory-scale remelting experiments had been carried out in open air and water-free argon atmosphere, and then the influencing factors were analyzed. It had been found that the hydrogen content in steel varied with different slag compositions. The compositions and state of slag had significant effect on the hydrogen level in steel. Partial return slag and premelted slag could avoid the hydrogen pick-up especially in the early stages of the process. However, premelted slag was the optimum state to control the hydrogen pick-up in steel. Experimental results indicated that water-free argon atmosphere was very favorable to the control of hydrogen in steel in the normal remelting period.