Technology of stainless steel making

Electric arc furnace was used to produce stainless steel by melting scrap of the desired composition. EAF was used only as a melting unit.

Typically, charge consists of carbon steel scrap + stainless steel scrap +lime. The charge is melted in EAF and after melt- down period, the melt contains around 10% Cr, all Nickel and carbon. Melt consists of Fe- Cr –Ni –C alloy

Oxygen is blown onto Fe- Cr- Ni –C melt and basic  slag forms. Initially chromium oxidizes until bath temperature rises to . Carbon oxidation occurs once the bath temperature rises to   In the finishing stage, low carbon ferrochrome is added to make the chromium content of steel to a desired value. The disadvantages with this technology are

• High temperature is required which cause damage to the refectory lining.
• Low carbon ferrochrome is required which in expensive.