Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
School of Engineering
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
Research in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering is focused on physical metallurgy, welding and corrosion, minerals processing and hydrometallurgy, and pyrometallurgy and refractory materials. The Industrial Metals and Minerals Research Institute (IMMRI) and the Anglo Chair in Pyrometallurgy are housed in the department.
Contributions in physical metallurgy included the characterisation of martensite as a function of the Ms temperature of the steel being developed for use as armour plating, establishing the influence of temper condition on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of semi-solid metal processed on an Al-Si-Mg A356 alloy, and the characterisation of the age hardening of an EN 4017 aluminium alloy. Researchers were also involved with the development of nuclear fuel particles intended for the pebble-bed modular reactor with contributions on the evaluation of the phase composition, crystallinity and trace isotope variation of silicon carbide (SiC) in experimental Tri-isotripic (TRISO)-coated particles, and the innovative evaluation of the fracture strength of TRISO-coated particles by compression testing.
The Welding and Corrosion Group made contributions on the influence of interstitial diffusion across the fusion line on the heat-affected zone (HAZ) microstructure and properties in 12% chromium type 1.4003 steels, the development of high-strength ductile braze repairs for stationary gas turbine components, and the development of austenitic stainless steel tube samples for the controlled chloride cracking.
Methods for the recovery of metals from eWaste were developed with contributions on the liberation characteristics of printed circuit board comminution fines, and the evaluation of froth flotation, smelting and electrochemical leaching for the recovery of metals from eWaste.
The beneficiation of iron ore was supported by the characterisation of reducibility using packed beds of iron ore and carbon with one-dimensional heating, and the characterisation of the disintegration of Northern Cape iron ore under reducing conditions. The use of sintering in silica-rich clay to stabilise the Cr(IV) in stainless steel plant dust was investigated as a method to release it into the environment. Plant operational practice was supported by the development of operator guidance tables for the control of the open-slag bath furnaces at Highveld Steel and Vanadium.
Contact person: Prof M du Toit.
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