Melting loss

Melting loss refers to metal losses which occur during melting mainly as a result of oxidation or vaporisation. The oxides form part of the slag, and are then removed with them from the melting bath. The melting loss is therefore defined as the weight difference between the cold metal charge and the finished melt available in the furnace. In case of charges made up of small pieces, such as chippings and fine stamping waste, the melting loss is higher than for compact scrap. For the same overall weight of the charge, the surface area of the charge material (chippings) is many times that of compact scrap.