EAF2

EAF2 is a term used primarily in the steelmaking industry to denote a second-generation electric arc furnace. An electric arc furnace melts metal by passing a strong electrical current through one or more graphite or carbon electrodes to create an arc that heats the metal charge, which is usually comprised of recycled steel scrap and, less commonly, direct reduced iron or pig iron. The EAF2 designation signals improvements over earlier electric arc furnaces, including higher energy efficiency, better electrode life, more precise arc control, and enhanced environmental performance through advanced off-gas treatment and dust collection.

In a typical EAF2 operation, scrap is charged into the furnace, the arc heats and melts the charge, and the molten metal is tapped for refining and casting. Modern EAF2 plants employ automated charging, real-time process control, and energy-recovery systems, enabling shorter melt cycles and greater consistency. They are compatible with continuous casting workflows and can produce a wide range of steel grades.

Advantages of EAF2 include lower capital costs for smaller producers, flexibility to use varying scrap quality, shorter production cycles, and potentially lower carbon emissions per ton when using high scrap content and energy-efficient systems. Limitations involve dependence on scrap availability and price, energy costs, and the need for robust dust and fume control.

Because terminology varies by region and manufacturer, EAF2 may alternatively refer to a particular plant model, upgrade, or project code. See also electric arc furnace, steelmaking, and direct reduced iron.