A system and method for manufacturing a space-based component in space. The method includes collecting and capturing space debris directly from and suspended in space, heating the collected space debris using solar radiation in a manner that separately and independently melts different constituent elements and compounds in the space debris, collecting the different constituent elements and compounds as they are being separately melted, storing the elements and compounds in a molten, solid or vapor form, and fabricating the space-based component using the stored elements and compounds.

A system and method for manufacturing a space-based component in space. The method includes collecting and capturing space debris directly from and suspended in space, heating the collected space debris using solar radiation in a manner that separately and independently melts different constituent elements and compounds in the space debris, collecting the different constituent elements and compounds as they are being separately melted, storing the elements and compounds in a molten, solid or vapor form, and fabricating the space-based component using the stored elements and compounds.

The functional condition of an induction crucible furnace is checked by first establishing a set-point parameter corresponding to an optimum functional condition of the induction crucible furnace and characterizing the vibratory behavior of same. Then, during normal operation of the furnace, an actual-value parameter of the vibratory behavior is determined. These two parameters are then compared and, if a magnitude of a difference therebetween exceeds a threshold, an alarm is generated.

The present invention relates to an arrangement for low-pressure casting of refractory metals, with a furnace chamber with one or a plurality of gas supply openings (6) and gas outlet openings (7), and a riser pipe (8) through a cover (5) of the furnace chamber, a melting container (3, 12) for the refractory metals arranged in the furnace chamber, and a heating device for heating the refractory metals in the melting container (3, 12). In the proposed arrangement, the melting container (3, 12) is formed as an exchangeable insert for a receiving mould (2) supporting the melting container (3, 12), which is arranged in the furnace chamber, wherein a thermally insulating layer (4, 17) is formed between the receiving mould (2) and the melting container (3, 12), or is integrated into the melting container (3, 12). With the proposed arrangement, a quick and easy exchange of the melting container for different alloys can also be carried out in the low-pressure casting of refractory metals.

A metal oxide barrier and a connecting method for solving the problems in which sectors of an existing cold crucible are connected by means of a mica plate and the mica plate is damaged due to arcing and the like and in which the sectors are strongly connected by means of the mica plate and thus are difficult to replace and maintain. A cold crucible, comprising a metal oxide barrier, according to the present invention can prevent arcing, enables reduction of damage on the edge part of a water cooling sector due to a molten material and thus enhances durability. Moreover, the metal oxide barrier can easily be replaced compared to an existing mica plate and thus enables easy maintenance and repair.

A metallurgical furnace including a vessel with a lower shell for containing a metal bath, the metal bath composed of molten metal and an overlying layer of slag. The lower shell is tiltingly supported and provided with a deslagging opening for evacuating the slag and a tapping opening for tapping the molten metal. The vessel includes an upper shell removably positioned on the lower shell and first and second inlet openings for feeding. The vessel includes a closing roof for the upper closing of the vessel removably positioned on the upper shell and a passage opening for the passage, through the same, of at least one electrode, at least one charge opening for feeding, through the same, charge material in the solid state. At least one of the inlet openings, passage opening, and charge opening is closed or associated with a closing element.

A metallurgical furnace including a vessel with a lower shell for containing a metal bath, the metal bath composed of molten metal and an overlying layer of slag. The lower shell is tiltingly supported and provided with a deslagging opening for evacuating the slag and a tapping opening for tapping the molten metal. The vessel includes an upper shell removably positioned on the lower shell and first and second inlet openings for feeding. The vessel includes a closing roof for the upper closing of the vessel removably positioned on the upper shell and a passage opening for the passage, through the same, of at least one electrode, at least one charge opening for feeding, through the same, charge material in the solid state. At least one of the inlet openings, passage opening, and charge opening is closed or associated with a closing element.

One or more embodiments relates to a method of casting a creep-resistant Ni-based superalloy and a homogenization heat treatment for the alloy, The method includes forming a feed stock having Nickel (Ni) and at least one of Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Aluminum (Al), Titanium (Ti), Niobium (Nb), Iron (Fe), Carbon (C), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Silicon (Si), Copper (Cu), Phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S) and Boron (B). The method further includes fabricating the creep-resistant Ni-based superalloy in a predetermined shape using the feed stock and at least one process such as vacuum induction melting (VIM), electroslag remelting (ESR) and/or vacuum arc remelting (VAR).

One or more embodiments relates to a method of casting a creep-resistant Ni-based superalloy and a homogenization heat treatment for the alloy. The method includes forming a feed stock having Nickel (Ni) and at least one of Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Aluminum (Al), Titanium (Ti), Niobium (Nb), Iron (Fe), Carbon (C), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Silicon (Si), Copper (Cu), Phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S) and Boron (B). The method further includes fabricating the creep-resistant Ni-based superalloy in a predetermined shape using the feed stock and at least one process such as vacuum induction melting (VIM), electroslag remelting (ESR) and/or vacuum arc remelting (VAR).

Apparatus for the production of metal including a furnace for melting metal provided with a crucible inside which a metal charge is melted. The furnace provides for tapping a liquid metal disposed on the bottom of the crucible and includes a tapping channel for the transfer of the liquid metal from the furnace. The apparatus also includes a delivery unit for delivering inert material (S) having a delivery device for the selective delivery of the inert material (S) into the tapping channel.