Patent ID: 9533346
Date: 2017-01-03
CPC Classifications: B21J,B22D,B32B,C22B,Y10T

Claim:
1. A process for forming an alloy ingot comprising: vacuum induction melting a nickel-base alloy to form a first alloy electrode; electroslag refining the first alloy electrode to form a second, refined alloy electrode; and vacuum arc remelting the second, refined alloy electrode into an alloy liner positioned in a crucible of a vacuum arc remelting apparatus, thereby forming an alloy ingot comprising an outer layer metallurgically bonded to an inner ingot core; wherein the vacuum arc remelting apparatus comprises a head that mates with the crucible to form a sealed furnace chamber surrounding the alloy liner and the second, refined alloy electrode, and wherein a vacuum is drawn within the sealed furnace chamber during the vacuum arc remelting.