Virgin melt is a term often used with high-end castings. It implies that the charge starts with pure base metal, and other pure metals are added to produce the exact alloy composition required. In other words, no scrap is used to produce the casting. It is quite common to use scrap to make castings, since there is a substantial amount of scrap metal produced in most casting processes, from things like risers, gates, etc.
I take difference with Arunmrao on this, If someone asked me for a virgin melt I would use only primary sources.
In many cases the only sources for some of the elements is ferroaloys and in some cases even certified master alloys.
I would see this as restricting the use of revert (scrap and risers) that had previously been cast.
If I had to work from pure metals only then it would not be possible to melt, as some metals are not commercially available in high purity (Fe), and my results would be inferior.
I agree with EdStainless.
For example: We have to pour Inconel 713C from virgin material means we have to purchase Inconel 713C rods from our supplier which have certified chemical composition. No other intake can be added into the melt!
Perhaps, geography matters too, in order to define virgin melt. Apart, from the alloy being discussed .
In a country like India, there are no producers of certified alloys in stainless steel and nickel rich alloys. Thus most often, whenever such a need arises, the only way is to use pure metals. For pure iron, I have used briquettes from Hoganas, at time from lab chemical suppliers for a few metals. It has always been a difficult route for small foundries, who do not have any means of metal refining.
I'm just one step away from being rich, all I need now is money.
( read somewhere on the internet)
When I was in the Co alloy business we would send our own scrap to be melted, de-carbed, and turned into shot.
We could then use this clean homogenous material to make premium heats.
Yes, it can be a pain, and a clear definition does depend on who/where you are.
