‌February 20, 2025‌ – PISI and Pansteel Changcheng Special Steel have successfully engineered an 18-ton superalloy electroslag remelted (ESR) ingot, marking China's first domestically produced large-sized ESR ingot for aerospace applications. ‌

Superalloys are extensively utilized in aerospace, energy, and related industries owing to their superior high-temperature strength, oxidation resistance, and corrosion resistance. However, inherent characteristics including high alloy content, broad solidification ranges, and significant thermal cracking tendencies often lead to defect formation—such as shrinkage cavities and porosity—during the manufacturing of large electroslag remelted superalloy ingots.

To overcome these metallurgical challenges, the research team conducted comprehensive theoretical analyses and field process trials. Through optimization of critical electroslag remelting parameters, they achieved substantial improvements in both the ingot's solidification integrity and surface quality.

This technological breakthrough not only fulfills the pressing domestic demand for large-scale superalloy materials in advanced manufacturing sectors, but also establishes a replicable methodology for electroslag remelting of other high-alloy, large-ingot specialty steels, demonstrating significant industrial applicability.