Single Arc Furnace

Specs

Applications & General Info

General Information The Model 5SA single Arc Furnace consists of upper and lower water-cooled sections separated by a Pyrex observation tube. The observation tube serves as an insulator between the upper (negative) section, and the lower (positive) section. Power and water are fed to 4each of these sections by water-cooled power cables. Penetrating the top section is a copper stinger rod which carries the tungsten electrode. This rod is mounted into a swivel ball which allows it to have angular as well as vertical movement. Because power is brought to the electrode by precision fits between the rod and the ball and the ball and the upper water-cooled section, there are no heavy cables or hoses attached to the handle of the stinger. The bottom section contains a tapered opening which accepts a variety of copper hearths. These hearths are secured in position by means of quick-acting clamps. Provision is made in this furnace for attaching to a mechanical pump for evacuation prior to backfilling if this is desired. Ports are also provided for inert gas inlet and outlet. A recent innovation is the addition of a load-lock which can be attached to the base of the furnace and permits addition of material to the melt while in operation. The complete assembly is bolted together and mounted on a small base which makes setting-up simply a matter of clearing space on your work bench. To use this furnace, the work is placed in the cup of the hearth. The hearth is inserted into the tapered hole in the bottom of the furnace and clamped into position. The furnace is then purged either by use of a mechanical pump, followed by backfilling with inert gas such as argon or helium, or the unit is simply purged by a flow of inert gas. Once the system has been purged, the desired power setting on the power supply is set and the electrode is then brought to a position above the material to be melted and an arc is struck. It is advisable to move the singer around the top of the specimen in order to melt uniformly and homogeneously. On occasion, the specimen is turned over and re-melted. A small, separate cup is provided in the base of the furnace for melting a small piece of titanium prior to melting the specimen, to remove any possible impurity from the furnace cavity. In order to operate this furnace, it is necessary that it be connected to a 30 volt, 300 Amp, direct current, electric welding type power supply. This furnace is available with or without power supply and/or water-cooled power cables.