Arc Furnace :
An arc furnace is an electrical device used to melt metal. In its most basic form, an arc furnace is an electrical resistor with a cell opening at each end in which an electric arc is established between a positive and negative pole. This arc heats the metal within the cell and melts it, allowing it to be poured or molded into a desired shape.
An arc furnace functions with direct current (DC) electrical power supplied from a rectifier. The rectifier converts alternating current (AC) power into constant-voltage direct current, which is then fed into the furnace to create the electric arc. This electric arc is created when the negative pole of the DC power is connected to a metal electrode, and the positive pole is connected to the furnace itself, or to a metal pot containing the material to be heated. When electricity passes through the air between the two electrodes, it creates an electrically charged gas, or plasma, which increases the temperature of the material within the furnace to the melting point.
An arc furnace can be used to melt many types of metals such as iron, aluminum, stainless steel, and different alloys. It can also be used to heat refractory materials that can withstand very high temperatures, such as graphite or carbon. An arc furnace also offers many advantages as opposed to other melting processes. It requires less energy to operate than other methods, as the electric arc is used only to melt the material directly and does not need to heat other components of the furnace. This makes it highly efficient and cost-effective.
Arc furnaces usually have special housings to protect operators from the bright flashes and high temperatures of the electric arc. Most models are also designed to reduce emissions of harmful particulate matter and noxious gases created by the high temperatures and heated metals. The power source used in arc furnaces can also be easily adjusted to achieve the correct temperature and speed of melting, allowing operators to maximize their productivity and minimize waste.
Arc furnaces are widely used in industrial and hobby applications, as well as in welding, special refining, and materials research. They are a common part of foundries and other metalworking operations, where they are used to heat metal for pouring into casts and molds, melting for scrap metal, or for conducting advanced alloys. Their portability and extreme heat capacity make them ideal for many industrial uses, and allow users to easily adjust the temperature or power level depending on the material and application.
