Abstract: The oxidation of alloying elements during the ESR of stainless steel has been studied. The model previously developed by WEI and Mitchell for the chemical reactions and mass transfer processes during ESR was applied to the remelting of the high Cr steel 1Cr18Ni9(Ti).The laboratory data for the unsteady state A.C.ESR were analyzed and dealt with by the model.When the remelting process reached a steady state,an oxidant(Fe_2O_3 powder)or a deoxidant(Ca-Si powder or metallic Ca)was added to the slag bath.The results showed that this model is applicable to the remelting of stainless steel rather precisely, and it is expected that the model may offer a reliable basis for the control of composition during practical ESR of high alloy steel. Also,the oxidation of Cr in the steel must be noticed when its content is high;but it is entirely possible to adjust the Cr content of ingot within a considerable range,using a special technique by means of the slag-metal reactions during the remelting.

Key words: ESR, stainless steel, oxidation, mass transfer, slag-metal reaction mathematical modelling