How does electric arc melting turn molybdenum powder into solid metal?

Because of its extremely high melting point, molybdenum cannot be processed into high-quality ingots using conventional methods. Instead, the arc-casting process is used to convert molybdenum powder into solid metal.12

In this process, molybdenum powder is continuously pressed into a rod. This rod is then partially sintered using electric resistance. Finally, the end of the rod is melted in an electric arc. During this stage, carbon is added to the powder to deoxidize the molten molybdenum, which is then cast into a water-cooled copper mold.1