Cold Crucible

When reactive materials such as radioactive wastes, titanium, zirconium, superconductors and hydrogen storage materials, shape memory alloys, magnets, intermetallic alloys and high temperature materials are to be processed with stringent requirements towards cleanliness and structural control, the cold crucible induction melting and casting method is the solution to overcome major limitations of the induction melting method with conventional crucibles.

This innovative process utilizes a copper crucible made up of water-cooled segments or “fingers” encompassed by a induction coil. The magnetic field produced by the coil, in effect, passes through the crucible to induce heat into the charge. The magnetic field also intensely stirs the liquid pool and promotes a very homogeneous melt. The entire setup is enclosed within a vacuum or controlled atmosphere. A significant part of the melt has no direct contact with the crucible due to electrodynamic forces confining the melt. The metal in contact with the crucible forms a solid layer – skull, which separates the liquid metal and crucible and reduces thermal losses from the melt. Thus this technique eliminates the need of any refractory material.

COLD CRUCIBLE INDUCTION MELTING

COLD CRUCIBLE FURNACE

Technology Advantages

  • No refractories that can be damaged or corroded,
  • No electrodes that corrode at high melt temperatures,
  • Longevity and compactness of the melter
  • Availability of high temperature to treat hard-to-process wastes
  • High purity – without metals or refractories that interact with the melt, high purity melts are achieved.
  • Electromagnetic stirring of the melt provides excellent thermal and chemical homogenization of the melt.

Applications

  • Vitrification of High Level Radioactive Liquid Waste (HLW)
  • Titanium golf club heads;
  • Titanium aluminide automobile valves;
  • Structural and engine parts (titanium castings) for the aerospace industry;
  • Implants for human medicine;
  • Hot-end turbo charger wheels;
  • Production of reactive metal powders;
  • Zirconium pumps casings and valves for the chemical industry and offshore drilling.