Vacuum Melted Superalloys

Melting critical superalloys under high vacuum conditions demands tight controls and strict adherence to approved manufacturing procedures. Everything, from the selection of raw materials to vacuum pressures, vacuum leak rates, melting and refining practices and pouring techniques, is closely monitored against standard operating procedures and internal specifications to ensure quality is never compromised.

Rigid control of highly reactive elements, distillation of volatile impurities and maintenance of melt quality can only be achieved by the strict application of process controls developed through many years’ experience in producing complex vacuum melted superalloys.

The conventional pouring technique used to transfer molten alloy from the furnace and into the moulds has been developed and fine tuned over the years to maximise alloy quality and cleanness and at the same time minimise centreline shrinkage. Purpose designed refractory tundishes and filter technology are an integral part of the production process.

Bars are available in a range of standard diameters and can be supplied in random lengths up to 1,250 mm, or in cut-to-weight billets. Billets may be either straight-cut or notch-fractured as specified by the customer.

Standard Diameters:

Ross & Catherall:

1 x 30 kg VIM furnace

1 x 600 kg VIM furnace

3 x 3,000 kg VIM furnace

1 x VIDP furnace, with 3 independent melting crucibles with capacities up to 8,000 kg

Certified Alloy Products Inc:

1 x 200 kg (440 lb)

1 x 2,500 kg (5,500 lb)

1 x 4,000 kg (8,800 lb)

1x 7,500 kg (16,500 lb)

This wide range of high-vacuum furnaces enables Ross & Catherall to offer customers a comprehensive, cost-effective choice of yield weights, ranging from trial R&D quantities right through to production quantities of up to 8000 kg, combined with a responsive and flexible service.