THE DRIP CASTING OF ZIRCONIUM METAL. Work Completed: March 1951

A drip casting process initiated to obtain zirconium castings uncontaminated by the melting process and to remove volatile impurities from the zirconium feed rod is described. A feed rod of zirconium is held above the mold, and the bottom of the rod is melted rapidly off into a mold to produce the casting. The melting process is carried out under high vacuum, so that very little atmospheric contamination can result, and some removal of volatile impurities is possible. Since no crucible is used to contain the molten metal, no contamination can result from this source. (auth