Processing of Special Castings (FSI-PLI)

Academic year 2021/2022
Supervisor: prof. Ing. Ladislav Zemčík, CSc.  
Supervising institute: ÚST all courses guaranted by this institute
Teaching language: Czech
Aims of the course unit:
The objective is to familiarize students with the application of vacuum and other special technologies in the preparation and casting of special alloys, and the possibilities of controlling the crystallization of these alloys.
Learning outcomes and competences:
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.
Prerequisites:
Students must have the knowledge of the thermodynamics of metallurgical processes (properties of real solutions, the criterion of the progress and equilibrium of metallurgical processes, equilibria in the melt/gas and melt/refractory systems) and the crystallization theory of foundry alloys (nucleation models, transport processes in the phase of crystal growth, morphology of phase interface).
Course contents:
The technology of producing castings of heat-resistant alloys of nickel and cobalt, titanium alloys, permanent magnet castings. Fundamentals of vacuum metallurgy, application of vacuum induction melting, vacuum arc remelting, electron-beam remelting. Electroslag remelting and casting process.
Teaching methods and criteria:
The course is taught through lectures explaining the basic principles and theory of the discipline. Exercises are focused on practical topics presented in lectures. Teaching is suplemented by practical laboratory work.
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes:
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.
Controlled participation in lessons:
Attendance in lectures is recommended, attendance in exercises is obligatory.
Attending at the exercises is required, being checked by the leader of practicals. In the case of absence from exercises, the leader assigns a topic for independent written work.
Type of course unit:
    Lecture  13 × 2 hrs. optionally                  
    Laboratory exercise  6 × 2 hrs. compulsory                  
    Computer-assisted exercise  7 × 2 hrs. compulsory                  
Course curriculum:
    Lecture 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
11. Permanent magnet castings with oriented columnar grains
12. Production of castings of titanium alloys in vacuum furnaces
13. Electroslag castings
    Laboratory exercise 1. Basic design nodes of the vacuum furnace, valves, sealing (laboratory for vacuum metallurgy)
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 1. Methods for obtaining vacuum, basic types of vacuum pumps
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
Literature - fundamental:
1. Choudhury, A.: Vacuum Metallurgy. 1. ed. Materials Park: ASM International. 1990
2. Davis, J.R. ed.: Metals Handbook. 1st ed. Materials Park: ASM International. 1998
3. Davis, J.R. ed.:ASM Specialty Handbook "Heat-Resistant Materials". 2nd ed. Materials Park: ASM International. 1998
Literature - recommended:
1. Zemčík,L.: Speciální slévárenské procesy. 2. vyd. Brno: VUT Brno.1987
2. Zemčík,L.: Speciální slévárenské procesy-návody do cvičení. 1. vyd. Brno: VUT Brno. 1990
The study programmes with the given course:
Programme Study form Branch Spec. Final classification   Course-unit credits     Obligation     Level     Year     Semester  
N-SLE-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- Cr,Ex 4 Compulsory-optional 2 2 W