arc furnace

arc furnace, type of electric furnace (q.v.) in which heat is generated by an arc between carbon electrodes above the surface of the material (commonly a metal) being heated.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.

Citation Information

Article Title: arc furnace

Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica

Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.

Date Published: 05 December 2014

URL: https://www.britannica.comhttps://www.britannica.com/technology/arc-furnace

Access Date: February 22, 2025