What is an Electric Arc Furnace? – Mbrashem

Unlike the more primitive blast furnace, the electric arc furnace uses an electric arc to heat metals rather than induction from a secondary heat source. An electric arc is an electrical breakdown of a gas that produces electrical discharge between two electrodes with a large heat by-product.  Electric arc reactions can take place on several scales and are used for everything from lighting to welding. Electric arc furnaces make an arc between electrodes and charged metals within the furnace to melt the metals. Industrial electric arc furnaces can produce temperatures up to 1,800 Celsius and over 3,000 Celsius in laboratory conditions.

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