The casting will become a showcase for development of the AMRC’s titanium casting facility which became operational earlier this year.
The large-scale, near net shape casting is an industrial centrifugal pump housing, used for highly corrosive applications in the chemical and petrochemical sectors. It was poured from a 680kg melt with a 200kg finished part weight.
Explains AMRC Castings’ general manager Richard Cook: “This test piece is a significant step forward for us and the UK as a whole. We are the UK’s only titanium melting facility and this achievement, sends a clear signal that the country is open for business for large-scale titanium casting.
“Global capacity for titanium castings, particularly of this size, is scarce – indeed it has actually decreased in recent years, despite growing demand. There is a clear need for this kind of capability and our research and development will underpin the ability for the UK to remain competitive in a global market.”
AMRC Castings is now working towards its goal of pouring over 1000kg of titanium for a 500kg part-weight centrispun casting by May 2018, testing the boundaries and limits of their Retech consumable electrode castings furnace. The furnace has three interchangeable crucibles capable of melting titanium for castings weighing up to 500kg and 2000mm in diameter by 2500mm in length.
