Course detail

Metallurgy of Nonferrous Metals

FSI-PLNAcad. year: 2025/2026

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.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Václav Kaňa, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Manufacturing Technology (ÚST)

Entry knowledge

Knowledges of metals science, basic knowledges of chemistry

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

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.

Aims

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

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

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

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N-SLE-P Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Václav Kaňa, Ph.D.

Syllabus

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

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Václav Kaňa, Ph.D.

Syllabus

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