Course detail
Processing of Special Castings
FSI-PLIAcad. year: 2025/2026
The technology of producing castings of heat-resistant alloys of nickel and cobalt, titanium alloys. Fundamentals of vacuum metallurgy, application of vacuum induction melting, vacuum arc remelting, electron-beam remelting. Electroslag remelting and casting process. Direct solidification, manufacturing of single crystal castings.
Language of instruction
Number of ECTS credits
Mode of study
Guarantor
Entry knowledge
Rules for evaluation and completion of the course
Condition of awarding the course-unit credit: participation in exercises. Examination: the knowledge of physical-chemical foundations of vacuum metallurgy, practical application of vacuum metallurgy, and controlled crystallization of special castings will be tested. It is a written and oral examination.
Attendance in lectures is recommended, attendance in exercises is obligatory. In case of absences, the garant of subject will enter the topic of a separate written work.
Aims
Students will learn about the effect of reduced pressure on molten alloys, about heat control processes in vacuum induction furnaces, vacuum arc furnaces, vacuum electron-beam furnaces, and about methods for controlling the crystallization of special castings. They will further learn about the types of airpump used and about measuring low pressures. They will be taught the basic metallurgical calculations used in the design of heat control processes in vacuum.
Study aids
Prerequisites and corequisites
Basic literature
Davis, J.R. ed.:ASM Specialty Handbook "Heat-Resistant Materials". 2nd ed. Materials Park: ASM International. 1998
Choudhury, A.: Vacuum Metallurgy. 1. ed. Materials Park: ASM International. 1990
Recommended reading
Zemčík,L.: Speciální slévárenské procesy-návody do cvičení. 1. vyd. Brno: VUT Brno. 1990
Classification of course in study plans
Type of course unit
Lecture
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
1. Basic characteristics of gaseous mixtures in the region of low gas pressures.
2. Thermal dissociation of gas compounds, equilibrium gas pressure.
3. The process of carbon reaction in vacuum.
4. Dissolution of gases.
5. Degassing in vacuum.
6. Evaporation of alloy components.
7. Casting in induction and electron beam vacuum furnaces.
8. Theoretical foundations of controlling the crystallization of metals.
9. Production of castings with equiaxial grains, controlling the grain size.
10. Castings with oriented columnar grains, single crystals castings.
11. Cobalt alloy castings, cobalt alloys and their production.
12. Production of castings of titanium alloys in vacuum furnaces.
13. Production of castings by electroslag remelting.
Laboratory exercise
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
2 Practical application of vacuum gauges, limit pressure of vacuum pumps (laboratory for vacuum metallurgy)
3. Viewing visit to the foundry of special castings. Preparation of ceramic shell moulds, vacuum induction furnaces for metallurgy and foundries
4. Practical demonstration of the progress of melting in vacuum induction furnaces (laboratory for vacuum metallurgy)
5. Creep test of heat-resistant alloys (creep laboratory)
6. Hot isostatic pressing of castings at high temperatures (HIP laboratory)
Computer-assisted exercise
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
2. Basic types of vacuum gauges used with melting vacuum furnaces
3. Determination of dissociation tension of oxides and nitrides, practical applications
4. Possibility of blocking the carbon reaction in vacuum
5. Thermodynamics and kinetics of the formation of bubbles
6. Calculation of vapour pressure of alloy components, estimate of changes in chemical composition
7. Raw materials for the charging stock. Charging stock calculation for vacuum induction furnaces