Spar type consumable electrodes for vacuum arc melting of zirconium or titanium alloys

摘要

This is an electrode for consumable arc melting of zirconium and titanium alloys containing a low melting point alloy constituent. The electrode uses a low resistance spar extending substantially the length of the electrode and being substantially free of any unalloyed low melting point alloy constituent. The external member containing unalloyed low melting point constituent is attached to the spar member in a manner to provide a relatively high resistance through the external member in an axial direction of the electrode. During operation, this minimizes resistance heating of the external member away from the arc and thus premature melting of unalloyed low melting point constituent is generally avoided.