The process of casting metal has been with us for centuries now. As people started to have a better idea of metal and its properties, the practice of casting metal evolved. Today, you’ll find various types of steel melting furnaces.
The Three Most Common Types of Steel Melting Furnaces
Today, the furnaces use different technologies to mold the metal alloy into particular grades of steel. Let’s go over the most common ones.
Electric Arc Furnace
At the top of the list, we have the electric arc furnace that most big steel plants use. This furnace utilizes the electrodes immersed in the steel to generate heat and melt it. The electric arc furnace will utilize the carbon electrodes in the tank for charging it until it melts.
You will find this type of furnace in foundries that deal with steel recycling. The best thing about the electric arc furnace is that it gives you a high-quality product since you can control the temperature, duration, and alloy composition.
Pros:
– It has a flexible process, making it easy for melters to easily start or stop the process according to their needs.
– You can get 100% scrap metal recycling through this type of furnace
– It doesn’t need a huge quantity of fuel for combustion
– You can get better efficiency than a blast furnace
Cons:
– These furnaces have a high energy consumption, which means that can put a burden on the electrical grids.
Induction Furnaces
Another common furnace that most foundries and factories use for melting metal is an induction furnace. It uses a robust magnetic field that will heat the steel until it melts. The capacity of the induction furnace can vary from 1 KG to one hundred tons.
The alternation electric currents all it to heat and melt the steel at a set temperature. The temperature for the steel to melt is around 1370 degrees Celsius. Let’s go over the pros and cons of the induction furnace.
Pros
– It is easier to use compared to other types of steel furnaces
– The furnace can produce high-quality products
– Enhanced metallurgical function, with reduced oxidation losses
– Well-controlled melting process
Cons
– Inadequate refining ability
– The cost of the equipment is very high
Cupola Furnace
The cupola furnace has been around us for quite some time and is a traditional furnace for steel melting. The main dome of this furnace is constructed using sedimentary rocks and is striped with bricks. This way, it protects the walls on the inside from heat and high temperature.
Mostly, the foundries will fill the dome with steel alloys or coke before the start melting process. The function of the Cupola furnace is to produce heat from the burning coke and then as soon as the temperature is above the steel’s melting point, it will start to melt.
Pros
– It is an easy-to-use and economical device
– You can use it to melt various materials.
– It can produce large quantities of steel
– This furnace isn’t much harmful compared to the electric furnace
Cons
– There aren’t many foundries that are now using the Cupola furnace
– It converts the metal elements into their oxide, which makes it not an ideal option for casting
– You can have a tough time controlling the temperature
Wrapping Up
There is a rapid increase in the demand for steel in the last few decades as the demand for housing, automobiles, and other things continue to increase. So, if you want to benefit from this growing demand, then you need to find the right steel melting furnace for your business.
It will allow you to simplify your steel melting process and help you create top-quality products. Most businesses make the mistake of considering only price when selecting a steel melting furnace. It is best to consider all the other factors, such as performance, maintenance cost, ease of use, etc.
Also, keep in mind that the steel melting furnace you choose should be suitable for your production requirements. You can properly understand the types of steel melting furnaces available and go through their pros and cons to make the right choice.
