5. Conclusion

The VAR vacuum arc remelting process is an essential technique for the production of high value-added metallic materials. Its multiple benefits (production of compact, homogeneous ingots, control of solidification structure, improved inclusion cleanliness) mean that it is used both as the method of choice for the special production of steels and superalloys, following the example of the neighboring ESR process, and as the final stage in the production of reactive metals, despite competition from cold crucible melting processes (EB, plasma) in the case of titanium alloys.

Although some crucial points relating to the formation mechanism and dynamic behavior of the vacuum arc remain largely unknown, VAR remelting is now generally well mastered. Depending on the grade, furnace technology, safety measures and control methods may differ widely. However, the reflow principle...