Metallurgy of Nonferrous Metals (FSI-PLN)

Academic year 2025/2026
Supervisor: Ing. Václav Kaňa, Ph.D.  
Supervising institute: ÚST all courses guaranted by this institute
Teaching language: Czech
Aims of the course unit:

The aim of course is to get knowledges about structure and properties of wide range of non-ferous alloys, principles of proper melting process in different melting furnaces, quality control and analysis of metallurgical defects.

 

Ability to operate metalurgical processes by melting different alloys grades, heat treatment and quality control
Learning outcomes and competences:
 
Prerequisites:

Knowledges of metals science, basic knowledges of chemistry
Course contents:

The course gives an overview of non-ferous cast alloys. Emphasis is given namely on aluminium alloys, copper, magnesium, zink and other alloys are mentioned briefly too. Types of alloys, their composition and main properties are mentioned. Crystallization and metallurgical processing are discussed in details. They are introduced types of melting furnaces suitable for different alloys. Metalurgicall defects, their identification and possibilities of reparing are commented.
Teaching methods and criteria:
 
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes:

Credit: Attendandance and appropriate knowledges in courses, semester work.
Exam: Credit, written and verbal parts of exam.


Compensation of absence by personal agreement with the lecturer.
Controlled participation in lessons:
 
Type of course unit:
    Lecture  13 × 2 hrs. optionally                  
    Laboratory exercise  13 × 2 hrs. compulsory                  
Course curriculum:
    Lecture

1. Types of non-ferous alloys, characterization of their properties and application
2. Aluminium alloys; main alloying elements, crystallization
3. Mechanical, chemical and technological properties of aluminium alloys, influence of
crystalization conditions on properties, age-hardening
4. Inoculation and modification of aluminium alloys
5. Metallurgy of aluminium alloys; refining
6. Degassing
7. Melting furnaces, principles of melting
8. Magnesium alloys; types, properties
9. Melting and pouring of magnesium alloys
10. Komposites, methods thixocasting and squeeze casting
11. Copper-based alloys; overwiew, diagrams, chemical composition, structure, properties
12. Principles of copper alloys melting
13. Zink alloys
    Laboratory exercise

1. Calculation of the charge and amount of modifier for Al-Si alloy, assignment of semester work


2. Melting of Al-Si alloy + modification, casting of test samples


3. Preparation of metallographic samples


4. Metallographic evaluation of the structure of Al-Si alloys


5. Evaluation of the effect of cooling rate on DAS


6. Excursion to a gravity casting foundry


7. Excursion to a high die pressure casting foundry


8. Excursion to an Al alloy recycling plant


9. Excursion to a zinc alloy foundry


10. Heat treatment of Al alloys, hardness measurement


11. Degassing and controlled gasification of the melt, measurement of the gasification degree


12. Thermal analysis of Al-Si alloys


13. Evaluation of semester work, credit
Literature - fundamental:
1. Grígerová,T.,Kořený,R.,Lukáč,I.: Zlievarenstvo neželezných kovov ALFA Bratislava/SNTL Praha, 1988
2. Aluminium Casting Technology, 2nd Edition, AFS,Inc., Des Plaines, Illinois, USA, 1993, ISBN 0-87433-157-9
3. Kainer, K.U.: Magnesium-Alloys and Technologies, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 2003, ISBN 3-527-30570-X
4. Roučka,J.: Metalurgie neželezných kovů. CERM Brno, 2005
5. Aluminium-recycling: Vereinigung Deutscher Schmelzhütten e.V, Düsseldorf, 2000
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 5 Compulsory 2 1 S