Process for using foamed slag in stainless steel production

A process for using foamed slag in the production of stainless steel in an electric arc furnace, comprising the cooperation of the following steps:

• (a) placing into the furnace a charge comprising scrap, a Fe-Cr alloy, a Fe-Si alloy and at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbon and coke, maintaining a carbon total amount between 0.7 and 2.5% b.w. and maintaining a silicon total amount between 0.6 and 1.1% b.w.;
• (b) forming a slag;
• (c) placing into the slag a mixture of at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbon and coke with limestone, with a limestone/carbon ratio in the mixture ranging between 0.1 and 5 and granular size ranging between 0.01 and 5 mm;
• (d) insufflating oxygen with a flow rate ranging between 15 and 30 Nm.sup.3 /h per ton of steel in the bath and in an amount ranging between 5 and 20 Nm.sup.3 per ton of steel;
• and
• (e) maintaining the basicity index of the slag within values ranging between 1.4 and 2;
• wherein said steps (a)-(e) are performed while melting said charge.