In 2016, our company invested in the construction of a VIM (Vacuum Induction Melting) production line for high-temperature alloy master alloys, designed for near-net shape forming, short process flow, and low cost. The line is equipped with vacuum induction furnaces of 500kg, 300kg, and 50kg capacities. Featuring a small-volume melting chamber and a horizontal furnace structure, these furnaces achieve optimal working vacuum control. A three-phase electromagnetic stirring system ensures stable agitation of the molten pool, allowing added elements to dissolve uniformly from top to bottom while maintaining a near-constant melt temperature.
By precisely controlling the pressure and temperature of each melt, we reduce process variability, ensuring a stable distribution of elements and keeping volatile element content within a very narrow range. Additionally, the large melt surface area (bath D/H > 1) provided by the VIM furnace facilitates effective material degassing.
To monitor product quality, we have introduced the SPECTROMAXx direct-reading spectrometer from Germany, enabling online analysis of alloy composition, as well as monitoring of harmful elements and nitrogen content to ensure the quality of our master alloys.
Our company is also equipped with a mechanical properties laboratory, capable of efficiently testing materials for high-temperature stress-rupture properties, high tensile properties, and room-temperature tensile properties.
The entire production system was fully commissioned by March 2017 and has achieved industrial-scale batch production capability. We are certified under the ISO9001 quality management system and have an annual production capacity of approximately 5,000 tons of high-temperature alloy master alloys. All products have been tested by the National Analysis Center for Iron & Steel, with technical specifications meeting the corresponding metallurgical industry standard YB/T 5248-93.
Compared to traditional preparation processes, the high-temperature alloy master alloys produced by our VIM process offer advantages such as high metallurgical quality and low inclusion content.