Abstract:
An improved electroslag refining (ESR) flux composition and process for making same are shown. The instant ESR flux compositions are made from particulate batch materials providing at least alumina, a fluoride and alkaline earth metal oxide, including calcium oxide, by the process described to yield a product exhibiting a substantially uniform fusion characteristic and to be substantially free of contamination from outside sources. The improvement in process comprises subjecting a substantially homogeneous mixture of batch materials, advantageously pelletized, to heat reaction at a temperature short of their complete fusion and in the range of about 1,900*2,400* F, generally most suitably until the free calcium oxide in the resulting product is below about 1 1/2 %.