A multiphase composite, formed by freeze-casting, lyophilization, and sintering, has sintered particles forming a scaffold having at least one region of aligned porosity; and a second phase formed in pores of the scaffold. In a particular embodiment, the second phase is a nuclear fuel, in another, the first phase is a nuclear fuel, and in others, both phases are nuclear fuels. In some embodiments, the first phase is a ceramic, and in other embodiments a metal such as stainless steel. In other embodiments, the second phase is a metal, and in other embodiments a ceramic. In some embodiments the second phase is positioned in a subset of pores of the scaffold, at least some additional pores being filled with a third phase. In embodiments, the second phase is also sintered.

Aluminum alloys having improved high temperature mechanical properties are provided. An aluminum alloy suitable for sand casting, permanent mold casting, or semi-permanent mold casting includes about 3 to about 12 weight percent silicon; about 0.5 to about 2.0 weight percent copper; about 0.2 to about 0.6 weight percent magnesium; about 0 to about 0.5 weight percent chromium; about 0 to about 0.3 weight percent each of zirconium, vanadium, cobalt, and barium; about 0 to about 0.3 weight percent each of strontium, sodium, and titanium; about 0 to about 0.5 weight percent each of iron manganese, and zinc; and about 0.0.1 weight percent of other trace elements. Also disclosed is a semi permanent mold cast article, such as an engine cylinder head.

Aluminum alloys having improved high temperature mechanical properties are provided. An aluminum alloy suitable for sand casting, permanent mold casting, or semi-permanent mold casting includes about 3 to about 12 weight percent silicon; about 0.5 to about 2.0 weight percent copper; about 0.2 to about 0.6 weight percent magnesium; about 0 to about 0.5 weight percent chromium; about 0 to about 0.3 weight percent each of zirconium, vanadium, cobalt, and barium; about 0 to about 0.3 weight percent each of strontium, sodium, and titanium; about 0 to about 0.5 weight percent each of iron manganese, and zinc; and about 0.0.1 weight percent of other trace elements. Also disclosed is a semi permanent mold cast article, such as an engine cylinder head.

A multiphase composite, formed by freeze-casting, lyophilization, and sintering, has sintered particles forming a scaffold having at least one region of aligned porosity; and a second phase formed in pores of the scaffold. In a particular embodiment, the second phase is a nuclear fuel, in another, the first phase is a nuclear fuel, and in others, both phases are nuclear fuels. In some embodiments, the first phase is a ceramic, and in other embodiments a metal such as stainless steel. In other embodiments, the second phase is a metal, and in other embodiments a ceramic. In some embodiments the second phase is positioned in a subset of pores of the scaffold, at least some additional pores being filled with a third phase. In embodiments, the second phase is also sintered.

The present disclosure relates to aluminum based alloys and a method for producing the aluminum based alloys. The method comprises acts of, casting of the aluminum based alloy in a chilled casting mold. Then, aging the cast aluminum based alloy at a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined time. The aging results in the formation of a first precipitate. Followed by this, solutionizing the aluminum based alloy at a second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined time such that the major alloying element is dissolved in aluminum matrix without much affecting the first precipitate. Then, aging the aluminum based alloy at a third predetermined temperature for a third predetermined time. The aging results in the formation of a second precipitate.

The present disclosure relates to aluminum based alloys and a method for producing the aluminum based alloys. The method comprises acts of, casting of the aluminum based alloy in a chilled casting mold. Then, aging the cast aluminum based alloy at a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined time. The aging results in the formation of a first precipitate. Followed by this, solutionizing the aluminum based alloy at a second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined time such that the major alloying element is dissolved in aluminum matrix without much affecting the first precipitate. Then, aging the aluminum based alloy at a third predetermined temperature for a third predetermined time. The aging results in the formation of a second precipitate.

A casting ring having a first section made of a heat-conductive material and a second section made of a MAX phase alloy material, and a method for obtaining a product made of titanium alloy or a titanium-aluminum intermetallic compound by plasma torch melting, the alloy having an oriented structure, the method including heating the molten alloy surface in the casting ring with a plasma torch; cooling a cold zone of the casting ring over a length L1, the cooling forming a semi-solid crown of alloy; heating a hot zone of the casting ring over a length L2, thereby forming a solidification front, the flatness of which relative to a plane perpendicular to a drawing direction is less than 10?; and drawing the solidified alloy at a speed of more than 10.sup.?4 m/s in the drawing direction.

A cast component includes a cast body that has a single crystal microstructure and an internal corner bounding an internal cavity. The single crystal microstructure defines a critical internal residual stress with respect to investment casting of the cast body using a refractory metal core beyond which the single crystal microstructure recrystallizes under a predetermined condition. The internal corner has a corner radius that is greater than a critical corner radius below which an amount of internal residual stress in the single crystal microstructure exceeds the critical internal residual stress. The internal cavity includes a cross section less than about 20 mils near the corner radius.

A cast component includes a cast body that has a single crystal microstructure and an internal corner bounding an internal cavity. The single crystal microstructure defines a critical internal residual stress with respect to investment casting of the cast body using a refractory metal core beyond which the single crystal microstructure recrystallizes under a predetermined condition. The internal corner has a corner radius that is greater than a critical corner radius below which an amount of internal residual stress in the single crystal microstructure exceeds the critical internal residual stress. The internal cavity includes a cross section less than about 20 mils near the corner radius.

A device for casting a metallic component comprising an outer undercut comprises a base body with a first end portion and a circumferential side wall comprising a tapering inner surface; a first die part that is insertable into the base body and that forms a first molding surface for the component to be cast; a plurality of side die parts, which are insertable into the base body and which, in the inserted state, are radially supported against the circumferential side wall of the base body and form a die ring comprising an inner molding surface for the component to be cast; a second die part which is moveable into the die ring formed by the side die parts to a casting position, and which forms a second molding surface for the component to be cast, wherein in the casting position, the second die part is arranged in a completely contact-free manner with respect to the first die part.