PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF CONSUMABLE-ELEC TRODE VACUUM-ARC-MELTED ELECTROLYTIC IRON

Oxygen was removed from a relatively pure grade of electrolytic iron by a solid-state, hydrogen, reduction treatment prior to vacuum arc melting. Consumable electrode arc melting into a water cooled copper crucible excluded contamination. The initial oxygen content of 400 ppm was reduced to below 50 ppm in the ingot. The values of various physical density, electrical resis tivity, thermoelectric force, and magnetic and mechanical tensile strength, Charpy V notch, and hardness properties were measured to assess the quality of this iron, which compares favorably with research grades described in the literature.