NAME Pilot plant for advanced ferrous and superalloys castings including nano-enabled materials

DESCRIPTION

Semi-industrial pilot plant for the design, prototyping, characterization and validation of new materials, components and processes of ferrous casting and superalloys (including nanoreinforced castings). Induction melting and casting furnaces for metallic materials with a capacity of 0.5 and 1 tn of molten iron for the manufacturing of prototypes and small industrial series in ferrous alloys. Small induction melting and casting furnaces (vacuum and inert atmosphere) with a capacity of 10 kg for prototyping. A complete sand molding line for dies up to 1.5 x 1.5 m2.. Different plasma tourches for melting and for the recovery of metals. A complete sand laboratory for sand characterization. Chemical control of obtained alloys by spectrometry.

FIELDS OF APPLICATION

Design and development of materials

Manufacturing processes

Materials and processes in Circular Economy

MOST OUTSTANDING EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENTS

  • Auxiliary elements

    Auxiliary elements such as : immersion thermocouples for the temperature control and registers, nodulizing equipment and sample taker for the composition control, sand test molds

  • Induction melting and casting furnace in vacuum or inert atmosphere

    Vacuum induction melting and casting furnace for metallic materials. Inert atmosphere. Capacity of melting up to 1,2 litres of material (10 kg of Steel equivalent). Possibility of production high-purity metals within an oxygen-free atmosphere. Removal of undesired trace elements and dissolved gases. Possibility of melting special alloys (superalloys, special steels,etc.) Addition of alloying elements and/or reinforcing particulates within breaking the vacuum. Precise control of temperatura with an immersion thermocouple.

  • Inductotherm induction melting furnace

    Inductotherm induction melting furnace with a 1t liquid iron capacity

  • Inductotherm induction melting furnace

    Inductotherm induction melting furnace with a 0.5t liquid iron capacity

  • Ondarlan Chemical sand mixer and dispenser

    Ondarlan Chemical sand mixer and dispenser

SERVICES OFFERED BY THE ASSET

Characterization, heat treatment and NDT. Characterization and homologaton of sand moulds

Chemical characterization, microstructural and residual stress meaurements. NDT tests. Thermal treatments. Characterization and homologation of sand moulds and cores.

Design and validation of foundry 4.0 enabling technologies and solutions. Digitalization of ferrous foundries.

Software and sensors for adquisition and data treatment

Design, prototyping, characterization and validation of ferrous casting (including nanotechnology) and superallloys

Semi-industrial pilot plant for the design, prototyping, characterization and validation of new materials, components and processes of ferrous casting and superalloys (including nanoreinforced castings).

Training and safety issues and new business models for the industrialization of innovative material and process solutions for non ferrous and superalloys castings

Technical resources and foundry technologies for handling and casting advanced ferrous metals including superalloys and nanoreinforced alloys.

ENTITY MANAGING THE ASSET

ENTITY MANAGING THE ASSET
FUNDACIÓN TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Contact person:
Maider Garcia de cortazar
Maider.garciadecortazar@tecnalia.com