Methods and Equipment
Aggregates Mills Hot pressing Special casting methods
Aggregates
1. Induction furnace
fusion mass: min. 100 g; max. 10 kg
crucible material: graphite, aluminium oxide abrasive
form material: graphite, copper
Shapes of mould: cylindrical: 6 mm to 90 mm in diameter
Shapes of mould: flat: e.g. 32 x 46, 30 x 80, 40 x 120 [mm]
Shapes of mould: target mould (graphite): 70 mm to 160 mm in diameter
Shapes of mould: further shapes are possible
Atmosphere: vacuum or protection gas (e.g. Ar)
Alloy systems: e.g.: Fe-, Co-, Ni-, Al-, Cu- and Ag-base
2. Arc melter
Melting mass: min. 20 g; max. 100 g
Melting mould: copper, lenticular: 40 mm in diameter; approx 12 mm high
Atmosphere: Ar
Alloy systems: almost all systems, not possible Zn- and Mg-base
3. Electron beam melter
Melting
mass: max. 2,5 kg
Material of crucible: copper
Material of mould: copper
Shapes of mould: cylindrical: 6 mm to 50 mm in diameter
Shapes of mould: flat: on request
Atmosphere: vacuum
Alloy systems: e.g.: Ti-base, Ni-, Fe- and Co-base
Mills
1. Retsch Planetary Mill
Application
to: Production of powders ball-milling (dry or wet)
Application to: Mechanical alloying
Working temperature: RT or under cooling with liquid nitrogen (-180°C)
Speed of rotation: 80 to 300 rpm
Sample weight: max. 10 to 50 g / container
2. Fritsch Pulverisette
Application
to: Production of powders
Application to: Mechanical alloying
Working temperature: RT
Speed of rotation: 500 rpm
Sample weight: 10 to 50 g / container
3. ZoZ Attrittor
Application
to: Production of powders
Application to: Mechanical alloying under water cooling
Working temperature: -5 to +50°C
Speed of rotation: 100 to 1000 rpm
Hot pressing
1. Hot pressing of powders
Pressure:
max. 600 MPa
Atmosphere: vacuum or protection gas (Ar)
Working temperature: RT to 700°C
Sample diameter: 10, 20 and 22 mm
2. Extrusion of cylindrical samples
Pressure:
max. 600 MPa
Atmosphere: vacuum or protection gas (Ar)
Working temperature: RT to 700°C
Sample diameter: from 10 or 12 mm to 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 mm in diameter
3. Preparation of bending strength samples
Pressure:
max. 600 MPa
Atmosphere: vacuum or protection gas (Ar)
Working temperature: RT to 700°C
Sample diameter: length = 50 mm, width = 5 mm, height = 1 to 10 mm (filling height)
Special casting methods
1. Vacuum meltspinning and mould casting system
Cooling
medium: copper wheel or mould
Sample shape and max. cooling rate: ribbon, thickness = 25μm - about 106 Ks-1
Sample shape and max. cooling rate: 3 mm in diameter (rod) - about 102 Ks-1
Sample shape and max. cooling rate: 5 mm in diameter (rod) - about 101 Ks-1
Melting mass: 3 to 30 g
Atmosphere: vacuum or protection gas (e.g. Ar)
Alloy systems: Zr-, Ti-, Cu-, Mg-base and others
2. Centrifugal casting device
Cooling
medium: copper mould
Sample shape and max. cooling rate: 3 mm in diameter (rod) - about 102 Ks-1
Sample shape and max. cooling rate: 5 mm in diameter (rod) - about 101 Ks-1
other sample shapes are possible, e.g. flat samples
Melting weight: 3 to 10 g
Atmosphere: vacuum or protection gas (e.g. Ar)
Alloy systems: Zr-, Ti-, Cu-, Mg-base and others (max. casting temperature: 1550°C)
3. Cold crucible casting device
Cooling medium:
copper mould
Sample shape: 8 or 10 mm in diameter, 180 mm in length
Melting weight: up to about 150 g
Atmosphere: vacuum or protection gas (e.g. Ar)
Alloy systems: Zr-, Ti-, Cu-, Mg-base and others
4. Melt spinner MS 3
Cooling
medium: copper wheel, steel wheel and others
Sample shape: ribbon, flakes
Melting weight: up to about 30 g
Atmosphere: melting process under protection gas (e.g. Ar)
Atmosphere: casting process under air
Alloy systems: Fe-, Co-, and Ni-base, Al-base and others
5. Melt spinner MS 4
Cooling
medium: copper wheel
Sample shape: ribbon, flakes
Melting weight: up to about 200g
Atmosphere: melting process under protection gas (e.g. Ar)
Atmosphere: casting process under air
Alloy systems: Fe-, Co-, and Ni-base, Al-base and others
Sample weight: 100 to 200 g