Research focus areas: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Pretoria General overview Research in this

department spans the whole spectrum of metallurgical engineering. Researchers associate in three groups, with topics in respectively minerals processing and hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, and physical metallurgy and corrosion. All research topics are industrially linked; the figure below shows a breakdown of the industrial origin of the current research topics. The specific topics within the three areas change over time as the needs of industry change; the current topics are summarised in the following pages, and given in more detail in the Appendix.
CSIR 5% Secmet 4% Other 27%

PBMR 5% Mintek 7%

Kumba Iron Ore 12% Exxaro 15% ArcelorMittal 12% Total 55 students Columbus 13%

Industrial linkages of research topics of postgraduate (M and PhD) students, as at the end of August 2007. "Industrial linkage" means that the research topic is directly related to the specific industrial partner, through supply of information and samples.

At any one time, 50 to 60 students are engaged in postgraduate research at the master's degree or doctoral level in the department. Approximately one-third of students study full-time, and two-thirds study part-time, using projects from their work environment towards the higher degree. Total student numbers for the past few years are summarised below.
Number of registered students PhD MSc MEng BSc(Hons) BEng(Hons)

100

50

0 2003 2004 2005 Year 2006 2007

MINERALS PROCESSING AND HYDROMETALLURGY Topics: Minerals processing: Flotation, gravity separation, slimes in mineral processing, diamond recovery Hydrometallurgy: Metals extraction from electronic waste; anode behaviour in electrometallurgy Sponsoring industries: Exxaro, Kumba Iron Ore, Multotec, Coaltech, De Beers, BHP Billiton Staff involved: Dr Dick Groot, Dr Thys Vermaak, Dr Tham Mahlangu, Dr Jacqueline Morkel, Mr Albert Venter, Prof Roelf Sandenbergh, Mr Jeremy Bosman (See Appendix A for students). Vision and aims: The underlying approach is quantification and mechanism identification in beneficiation. The final aim is to produce models which will be useful in process quantification; current projects which explicitly aim to produce such models deal with control of spiral classifiers, prediction of separation in dense medium cyclones, and kimberlite breakdown in solutions. The fundamentals of sulphide flotation are studied by electrochemistry, surface analysis, and batch flotation. Available equipment for minerals processing work include zeta potential measurement, Malvern size analysis, Leco sulphur analysis, heavy minerals spiral, cyclone classification rig, and dense medium cyclone rig. A full suite of electrochemical equipment supports the hydrometallurgy work. Recycling of electronic scrap is a recently developed focus, including minerals processing, hydrometallurgy, and pyrometallurgy. Journal Publications (past 5 years):
J Morkel, PC Pistorius and MKG Vermaak: Cation exchange behaviour of kimberlite in solutions of Cu2+ and K+. Minerals Engineering, vol. 20, no. 12, pp. 1145-1152 (2007). MKG Vermaak, PC Pistorius, JA Venter: Fundamental electrochemical and Raman spectroscopic investigations of the flotation behaviour of PtAs2. Minerals Engineering, vol. 20, no. 12, pp. 1153-1158 (2007). JA Venter and MKG Vermaak: Dithiocarbonate and trithiocarbonate interactions with pyrite. South African Journal of Science, vol. 103, pp. 164-168 (2007). JO Claassen and RF Sandenbergh: Influence of temperature and pH on the quality of metastable iron phases produced in zinc-rich solutions. Hydrometallurgy, vol. 86, no. 3-4, pp. 178-190 (2007). JO Claassen and RF Sandenbergh: Influence of mixing on the quality of iron precipitates in zinc-rich solutions, Hydrometallurgy, vol. 87, pp. 112-123 (2007). MK Magwai and J Bosman: Fundamentals on the spigot capacity of dense medium cyclones. Minerals Engineering, vol. 20, Issue 6, pp. 574-580 (2007). CF Vos, JC Davidtz and JD Miller: Trithiocarbonates for PGM flotation. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 107, no. 1, pp. 23-28. (2007). Y Wei and R F Sandenbergh: Influence of the grinding environment on the flotation of Rosh Pinah Complex Pb/Zn ore. Minerals Engineering, vol. 20, pp. 264-272 (2007). J. Morkel and M.K.G. Vermaak: The role of swelling clay in kimberlite weathering. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy (Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. C) vol. 115, no. 3, pp. 150-154 (2006). J Morkel, SJ Kruger and MKG Vermaak: Characterization of clay mineral fractions in tuffisitic kimberlite breccias from the Premier and Venetia diamond mines by X-ray diffraction. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 106, pp. 397-406 (2006). MD Seke and PC Pistorius: Effect of cuprous cyanide, dry and wet milling on the selective flotation of galena and sphalerite. Minerals Engineering, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 1-11 (2006). DR Groot, SHM Harkema and MKG Vermaak: The application of cyclic voltammetry coupled with surface plasmon resonance measurements to thiol-collector interactions with gold surfaces. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 105, no. 9, pp. 645-652 (2005). MD Seke and PC Pistorius: The effect of mode of occurrence of galena and sphalerite on the selective flotation of ore samples from the Rosh Pinah mine. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 105, no. 9, pp. 653-662 (2005). J.D. Miller, J. Li, J.C. Davidtz and F. Vos: A review of pyrrhotite flotation chemistry in the processing of PGM ores. Minerals Engineering, vol. 18, no. 8, pp. 855-865 (2005).

K. Cerovic, H. Hutchison, and R.F. Sandenbergh: Kinetics of gold and a gold10% silver alloy dissolution in aqueous cyanide in the presence of lead. Minerals Engineering, vol. 18, pp. 585-590 (2005). MKG Vermaak, JA Venter & PC Pistorius: Electrochemical and Raman spectroscopic studies of the interaction of ethyl xanthate with PdBiTe. Minerals Engineering, vol. 18, pp. 575-584 (2005). MKG Vermaak, JA Venter & PC Pistorius: Electrochemical studies of the interaction of ethyl xanthate with PdBi-Te. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 104, no. 11, pp. 661-665 (2004). J. Steyn & R.F. Sandenbergh: A study of the influence of copper on the gold electrowinning process. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 104, no. 3, pp. 177-182 (2004). W Breytenbach, MKG Vermaak & JC Davidtz: Synergistic effects among dithiocarbonates (DTC), dithiophosphate (DTP) and trithiocarbonates (TTC) in the flotation of Merensky ores. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 103, no. 10, pp. 667-670 (2003). J. Bosman: Latest developments in cyclone technology. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, vol. 112, p. C10-C12 (2003). J.O. Claassen, E.H.O. Meyer, J. Rennie & R.F. Sandenbergh: Iron precipitation from zinc-rich solutions: optimizing the Zincor process. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 103, no. 4, pp. 253-263 (2003). JO Claassen, EHO Meyer, J Rennie & RF Sandenbergh: Iron precipitation from zinc-rich solutions: defining the Zincor Process. Hydrometallurgy, vol. 67, no. 1-3, pp. 87-108 (2002). J.P. van Dyk, N.M Vegter & PC Pistorius: Kinetics of ilmenite dissolution in hydrochloric acid. Hydrometallurgy, vol.65, no.1, pp.31-36 (2002). JD Grobler, RF Sandenbergh, and PC Pistorius: The stability of ferrosilicon dense medium suspensions. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 102, no. 2, pp. 83-86, Mar. 2002. JMA Geldenhuis: Recovery of valuables from flue dust fines. Minerals Engineering, vol. 15, pp. 95-98 (2002).

PYROMETALLURGY Topics: Ferrous pyrometallurgy: sinter for ironmaking, iron ore behaviour, coal-based reduction, mould fluxes, descaling, activity measurements, clean steel Nonferrous pyrometallurgy: thermodynamics of smelting of PGM-bearing concentrates Ilmenite beneficiation: roasting and prereducing of ilmenite, freeze lining behaviour, slag oxidation Byproducts: processing dust from ferrochromium production and stainless steelmaking Pebble-Bed Modular Reactor: Silicon carbide characterisation and integrity Sponsoring industries: ArcelorMittal, Exxaro, Kumba Iron Ore, Columbus Stainless, Ex-Mente, Sasol, PBMR Staff involved: Professors Andrie Garbers-Craig, Johan de Villiers and Chris Pistorius (See Appendix A for students). Vision and aims: More efficient and cleaner pyrometallurgical production requires a quantitative understanding of the thermodynamics and kinetics of the fundamental reactions. Our approach is to combine laboratory measurements and literature data into models which can be used for plant optimisation. The work on ilmenite smelting is the most comprehensive example of this approach, but current work on reactions controlled by heat transfer (e.g. oxide reduction), sinter processing and properties, and Cr(VI) stabilisation is developing similarly. Journal Publications (past 5 years):
KG Tshilombo and PC Pistorius: Oxygen activity measurements in simulated converter matte. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 107, no. 2, pp. 123-128. (2007). HE du Plessis, JPR de Villiers, and G J Kruger: Re-determination of the crystal structure of -Fe5C2 Hgg carbide. Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie, vol. 222, no. 5, pp. 202-210 (2007). AM Garbers-Craig and PC Pistorius: Slagrefractory interactions during the smelting of ilmenite. South African Journal of Science, vol. 102, no. 11/12, pp. 575-580 (2006). R. Rampersadh and P.C. Pistorius: Reoxidation and castability of aluminium-killed steels. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 106, no. 4, pp. 265-267 (2006). G Ma and AM Garbers-Craig: Cr(VI) containing electric furnace dusts and filter cake from a stainless steel waste treatment plant: Part 1 - Characteristics and microstructure. Ironmaking and Steelmaking, vol. 33, pp. 229-237 (2006). G Ma and AM Garbers-Craig: Cr(VI) containing electric furnace dusts and filter cake from a stainless steel waste treatment plant: Part 2 Formation mechanisms and leachability. Ironmaking and Steelmaking, vol. 33, pp. 238-244 (2006). G Ma & AM Garbers-Craig: A Review on the Characteristics, Formation Mechanisms and Treatment Processes of Cr (VI)-containing Pyrometallurgical Wastes. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 106, pp. 753-763 (2006). E Balan, JPR de Villiers, SG Eeckhout, P Glatzel, MJ Toplis, E Fritsch, T Allard, L Galoisy, and G Calas. The oxidation state of vanadium in titanomagnetite from layered basic intrusions. American Mineralogist, vol. 91, pp. 953-956 (2006). PC Pistorius and DJ Fray: Formation of silicon by electro-deoxidation, and implications for titanium metal production. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 106, no. 1, pp. 31-41 (2006). JH Zietsman and PC Pistorius: Modelling of an ilmenite-smelting DC arc furnace process. Minerals Engineering, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 262-279 (2006). RH Matjie, C van Alphen and PC Pistorius: Mineralogical characterisation of Secunda gasifier feedstock and coarse ash. Minerals Engineering, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 256-261 (2006). PC Pistorius and T Motlhamme: Oxidation of high-titanium slags in the presence of water vapour. Minerals Engineering, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 232-236 (2006). de Villiers, J P R, Goeske, J, and Tuling, A: Disintegration in high-grade titania slags: low temperature oxidation reactions and associated fracture mechanics of pseudobrookite. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy (Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. C.), vol. 114, no. 2, pp. 73-79 (2005).

PC Pistorius: Kinetics of carbothermic reduction reactions under heat transfer control: modelling results. Scandinavian Journal of Metallurgy, vol. 34, pp. 122-130 (2005). J.H. Zietsman & P.C. Pistorius: Process mechanisms in ilmenite smelting. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 104, no. 11, pp. 653-660 (2004). PC Pistorius: Equilibrium interactions between freeze lining and slag in ilmenite smelting. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 104, no. 7, pp. 417-422 (2004). CT Mutale and PC Pistorius: Determination of the Pe value of 5 wt-% calcia stabilised hafnia solid electrolyte at high temperatures. Ironmaking and Steelmaking, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 269-272 (2004). T Mukongo, PC Pistorius & AM Garbers-Craig: Viscosity effect of titanium pick-up by mould fluxes for stainless steel. Ironmaking and Steelmaking, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 135-143 (2004). DJ Oosthuizen, IK Craig IK & PC Pistorius: Economic evaluation and design of an electric arc furnace controller based on economic objectives. Control Engineering Practice, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 253-265 (2004). AM Garbers-Craig, JMA Geldenhuis, WJ Jordaan and PC Pistorius: The influence of increased air flow on the spatial variation of iron sinter quality. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 103, no. 10, pp. 645-650 (2003). FR Camisani, IK Craig & PC Pistorius: Quality prediction in continuous casting of stainless steel slabs. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 103, no. 10, pp. 651-665 (2003). PC Pistorius, N-A Quagraine & C Coetzee: Descaling behaviour of stainless steel following simulated reheating. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 103, no. 10, pp. 607-615 (2003). PC Pistorius: The role of a department of metallurgical engineering in the South African metallurgical industry. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 103, no. 10, pp. 601-606 (2003). PC Pistorius: Fundamentals of freeze lining behaviour in ilmenite smelting. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 103, no.8, pp. 509-514 (2003). JD Steenkamp & PC Pistorius: Kinetics of chromite vs. ilmenite magnetization during oxidative roasting of ilmenite concentrates. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 103, no.8, pp. 501507 (2003). C-T Mutale and GT van Rooyen: "The effect of leaking current on the electrochemical measurement of oxygen activities at high temperature." Scandinavian Journal of Metallurgy, vol. 32, pp. 317-319 (2003). B Freyer, IK Craig & PC Pistorius: Gauge and tension control during the acceleration phase of a Steckel hot rolling mill. ISIJ International, vol.43, no.10, pp. 1562-1571 (2003). P.C. Pistorius & C. Coetzee: Physicochemical aspects of titanium slag production and solidification. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions Series B, vol. 34B, no. 5, pp. 581-588B (2003). K Schwerdtfeger, CT Mutale & A Ditze: Solubility of iron in magnesium-lithium melts. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions Series B, vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 929-930 (2002). PC Pistorius & JTF le Roux: Thermal, Chemical and Structural changes during initial chlorination of titania slag. Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly, vol.41, no.3, pp.289-298 (2002). T. Coetsee, P.C. Pistorius and E.E. de Villiers: Rate-determining steps for reduction in magnetite-coal pellets. Minerals Engineering, vol. 15, no.11S1, pp. 919-929 (2002). PC Pistorius: Reductant selection in ferro-alloys production. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 102, no. 1, pp. 33-36 (2002). PC Pistorius: The relationship between FeO and Ti2O3 in ilmenite smelter slags. Scandinavian Journal of Metallurgy, vol. 31, no.2, pp. 120-125 (2002).

PHYSICAL METALLURGY AND CORROSION Topics: Hot deformation of steels: Grain size development, recrystallisation, hot ductility Inclusions in steel Physical metallurgy and electrochemistry of noble metal alloys Welding metallurgy Corrosion: coated steel, stress corrosion cracking Sponsoring industries: ArcelorMittal, Columbus Stainless, Eskom, Hulamin Staff involved: Academic staff: Professors Madeleine du Toit, Waldo Stumpf, Chris Pistorius (See Appendix A for students). Eight contract research staff in the Industrial Metals and Minerals Research Institute (IMMRI) Vision and aims: The main themes are physical processing of metals predominantly steel and the corrosion behaviour of these metals. The work in this area is a joint effort by academic staff and contract research staff in IMMRI. IMMRI staff have two main briefs process quality support to ArcelorMittal, and research; the latter portion of their work is relevant here. The aim is to cover the full steel processing route (including joining by welding). This broad view is supported by equipment to simulate welding and thermomechanical deformation, dilatometry, a welding laboratory, mechanical testing, surface analysis by ESCA and Auger, glow-discharge optical emission spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, image analysis, and electrochemical corrosion testing. Important side themes are precious metals and corrosion. Projects in aluminium alloy processing have been undertaken since 2004. Journal Publications (past 5 years):
J du Plessis, M du Toit and PC Pistorius: Control of diffusible weld metal hydrogen through flux chemistry modification. Welding Journal, vol. 86, pp. 273-s 280-s (2007). M. du Toit and PC Pistorius: The influence of oxygen on the nitrogen content of autogenous stainless steel arc welds. Welding Journal, vol. 86, pp. 222-s 230-s (2007). M. du Toit, G.T. van Rooyen and D. Smith: Heat-affected zone sensitization and stress corrosion cracking in 12% chromium type 1.4003 ferritic stainless steel. Corrosion, vol. 63, no. 5, pp. 395-404 (2007). H Mller: The influence of Mg2+ on the formation of calcareous deposits on a freely corroding low carbon steel in sea water. Corrosion Science, vol. 49, pp. 1992-2001 (2007) H Mller and PC Pistorius: The influence of Sr2+ on the formation of calcareous deposits on a freely corroding low carbon steel in sea water. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 107, no. 3, pp. 167-175. (2007). M.C. Biermann, R.F. Sandenbergh, and T.v.S. von Moltke: Characteristics and lacquer adhesion on dip and CDC chromium passivated tinplate. Corrosion Science, vol. 48, pp. 29252936 (2006). K Maweja and WE Stumpf: Fracture and ballistic-induced phase transformation in tempered martensitic lowcarbon armour steels. Materials Science and Engineering A, vol. 432, pp. 158-169 (2006). KM Banks, WE Stumpf and A Tuling: Inconsistent flow stress in low carbon boron steels during finishing. Materials Science and Engineering A, vol. 421, pp. 307316 (2006). WE Stumpf and KM Banks: The hot working characteristics of a boron bearing and a conventional low carbon steel. Materials Science and Engineering A vol. 418, pp. 86-94 (2006). KM Banks: Microstructural control and DWTT toughness in thick-walled Nb-Ti-V microalloyed linepipe steels. Materials Science Forum, vol. 500-501, pp. 303-310 (2005). R F Sandenbergh and E. van der Lingen, The use of Tafel back extrapolation to clarify the influence of ruthenium and palladium alloying on the corrosion behaviour of titanium in concentrated hydrochloric acid. Corrosion Science, vol. 47, pp. 3300-3311 (2005). C Siyasiya, GT van Rooyen and WE Stumpf: Metallurgical factors that affect the strand width during continuous casting of DIN 1.4003 stainless steel. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 105, pp. 473-481. (2005)

KM Banks: Microstructural control in thick-walled Nb-Ti-V microalloyed linepipe steels. Materials Science Forum, volume 467-470, pp. 223-228 (2004). R. Loots and G.T. van Rooyen: A comparison of the reheat cracking susceptibility of a service exposed high temperature alloy steel with that of new material. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 104, no. 11, pp. 627-631 (2004). W. Stumpf: Hot work modelling of two equivalent low carbon strip steels produced, respectively, by the cold charge route and by the hot charge route. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 104, no. 11, pp. 643-652 (2004). H. Mller and P.C. Pistorius: The electrochemistry of goldplatinum alloys. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, vol. 570, no. 2, pp. 243-255 (2004). B Mintz, A Tuling and A Delgado: Influence of silicon, aluminium, phosphorus and boron on hot ductility of TRansformation Induced Plasticity assisted steels. Materials Science and Technology, vol. 19, no. 12, pp. 17211726 (2003). WE Stumpf: Grain size modelling of a low carbon strip steel during hot rolling in a Compact Strip Production (CSP) plant using the Hot Direct Route. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 103, no. 10, pp. 617-631 (2003). TvS von Moltke & RF Sandenbergh: The use of surface analytical techniques to characterize steel surfaces for organic coatings. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 103, no. 10, pp. 633-640 (2003). N Simpson & GT van Rooyen: Corner cracking associated with the production of square tubing from low carbon ferritic stainless steel. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 103, no. 10, pp. 641644 (2003). M. du Toit & P.C. Pistorius. Nitrogen control during the autogenous arc welding of stainless steel - Part 2: A kinetic model for nitrogen absorption and desorption. Welding Journal, vol. 82, no. 9, pp. 231-237 (2003). S.N. Prins, L.A. Cornish, W.E. Stumpf and B. Sundman: Thermodynamic assessment of the Al-Ru phase diagram. CALPHAD, vol. 27, no 1, pp. 79-90 (2003). M. du Toit & P.C. Pistorius. Nitrogen control during the autogenous arc welding of stainless steel - Part 1: The influence of shielding gas nitrogen content and base metal nitrogen and sulphur concentrations on nitrogen absorption/desorption. Welding Journal, vol. 82, no. 8, pp. 219-S-224-S (2003). J Greyling, F van der Merwe & PC Pistorius: The instant-off potential for cathodically protected structures. Corrosion, Paint & Coatings Industries S.A., vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 14-15 (2003). M du Toit: Filler metal selection for welding a high nitrogen stainless steel. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 306-312 (2002). PC Pistorius & MH Ras: Possible mechanisms for the improvement by vanadium of the pitting corrosion resistance of 18% chromium ferritic stainless steel. Corrosion Science, vol.44, no.11, pp.2479-2490 (2002). M. du Toit, E. van der Lingen, L. Glaner and R. Sss: The development of a novel gold alloy with 995 fineness and increased hardness. Gold Bulletin, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 46-52 (2002).

Appendix A: Graduate and final-year projects Project Minerals processing and Hydrometallurgy
Treatment of recycling water to increase the flotation performance at Rosh Pinah mine Pentlandite flotation Pyrrhotite flotation Pyrrhotite mineralogy The role of trithiocarbonates in flotation of selected platinum ores from the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe Dithiocarbonate and trithiocarbonate interactions with pyrite and copper The role of collector synergy in the flotation of sulphide minerals Preconcentration of platinum ore The use of Knelson concentrators in the recovery of uranium from gold ores Scaling of comminution processes Evaluating factors influencing fine coal dense medium beneficiation Spigot capacity of dense medium cyclone for coal Modelling of high-capacity spiral Kimberlite disintegration and stability Unified model for size-based and density-based separation in hydrocyclone Spigot capacity of cyclones Measurement of Slurry Viscosity Using a Pipe Flow Viscometer Improved liberation in grinding of titaniferous magnetite Application of flotation for improved value recovery from printed circuit board grinding fines

Student

Staff

Status

Yihe Wei (PhD, part-time) Getrude Marape (MEng, fulltime) Nthabiseng Mphela (BEng Hons, full-time) Megan Becker (PhD, part-time) Moses Nashwa (MSc, part-time) Albert Venter (MSc, part-time) Riaan Grobler (MEng, part-time) Mamokete Konopi (BEng, fulltime) Ernest Mahlangu (BSc Hons) Jan van Schoor (MEng, parttime) Danie van der Merwe (PhD, part-time) Pauline Shole (BEng, full-time) Jac Grobler (MEng, part-time) Warren Olivier (BEng Hons, fulltime) Jeremy Bosman (PhD, parttime) Mohloana Magwai (MEng, parttime) Bea Moolman (MEng, part-time) Walter Geyser (BEng, full-time) 'Tunji Ogunniyi (PhD, full-time)

Roelf Sandenbergh Thys Vermaak Thys Vermaak Johan de Villiers Thys Vermaak John Davidtz Thys Vermaak John Davidtz Thys Vermaak Thys Vermaak Tham Mahlangu Roelf Sandenbergh Jeremy Bosman Mohloana Magwai Jeremy Bosman Jacqueline Morkel Chris Pistorius Jeremy Bosman Jeremy Bosman Thys Vermaak Thys Vermaak / Dick Groot

Thesis under revision Experimental work underway Planning experimental work Experimental work underway Submitted Graduated September 2007 Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Dissertation under revision Planing experimental work Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Graduated September 2007 Planning experimental work Experimental work underway Experimental work underway

University of Pretoria Research in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering: 2007

Appendix A: Graduate and final-year projects Project Minerals processing and Hydrometallurgy
The role of silica during iron removal in a zinc electrowinning circuit Anodic processes during manganese electrowinning from chloride media The oxidative precipitation of Mn (II) from acid sulphate solutions with SO2 / O2 mixtures SO2/O2 system in hydrometallurgy Effects Mg and Ca rejection in nickel solvent extraction

Student

Staff

Status

Tineke Grant (MEng, full-time) Dieudonn Kasongo (MSc, fulltime) Ndinanwi Mulaudzi (MEng, parttime) Lebogang Serithi (BEng, fulltime) Bongani Ndlovu (BEng, full-time)

Chris Pistorius / Dick Groot Dick Groot Tham Mahlangu Tham Mahlangu Tham Mahlangu

Writing up Finalising experimental work Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Experimental work underway

University of Pretoria Research in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering: 2007

Graduate and final-year projects Project Pyrometallurgy

Investigation into the effect of cooling conditions on the particle size distribution of titania slag Metal temperature excursions in ilmenite smelting Titanium oxycarbide formation in ilmenite smelting Roasting ilmenite for pre-reduction Sintering mechanisms in coal ash Char production from Grootegeluk coal SiC as reductant for ferrochrome production Base metal losses in matte smelting and slag cleaning Sulphidation of copper Melting behaviour of electronic scrap Heat transfer through mould fluxes for titaniumstabilised austenitic stainless steel Size degradation of iron ore during solid-state reduction Investigation into the influence of magnesia content, alumina content, basicity and ignition temperature on the mineralogy and properties of iron sinter Optimisation of the grain size distribution of the raw material mixture in the production of iron sinter Microstructure of sinter fines The influence of the partial replacement of fine Sishen ore with coarse Sishen ore on sintering parameters Reduction Disintegration behaviour of Sishen Iron Ore in Direct Reduction Shafts Refractories for ferromanganese production Reduction of manganese ore with coal Effect of Fe:Mn ratio on carbon-based reduction of manganese ore

Student

Staff

Status

Hanlie Kotze (PhD, part-time) Fanus van Wyk (MSc, part-time) Anton Venter (MSc, part-time) Let Masondo (BEng, full-time) Henry Matjie (PhD part-time) Victor Nkulu Nwamba (MSc, fulltime) Jamal Sahib (BEng, full-time) Lesley Andrews (MSc, part-time) Mpilo Thethwayo (BScHons, fulltime) Nathan Shago (MEng, part-time) Dries Bothma (MEng, part-time) Mientjie van der Vyver (PhD, part-time) Michel Kalenga (MSc, part-time) Elie Lwamba (MSc, full-time) Teresa van den Berg (MSc, fulltime) Andr Dippenaar (MSc, part-time) Kobus Vreugdenburg (MSc, part-time) Joalet Steenkamp (PhD, parttime) Jan Rabe (MEng, part-time) Leon Lourens (PhD, part-time)

Chris Pistorius Chris Pistorius Chris Pistorius Chris Pistorius Chris Pistorius Andrie Garbers-Craig Chris Pistorius Chris Pistorius / Johan de Villiers Andrie Garbers-Craig Chris Pistorius Chris Pistorius Chris Pistorius Andrie Garbers-Craig

Thesis submitted Experiments underway Experiments underway Experiments underway Writing up Experiments underway Experiments underway Finalising experimental work Planning experiments Finalising experimental work Graduated April 2007 Writing up Completed; writing up publications Completed; writing up publications Finalising experimental work Experiments underway

Andrie Garbers-Craig Johan de Villiers Andrie Garbers-Craig

Chris Pistorius Andrie Garbers-Craig Chris Pistorius Chris Pistorius

Experiments underway Experiments underway On hold On hold

University of Pretoria Research in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering: 2007

10

Graduate and final-year projects Project Pyrometallurgy

Non-isothermal reaction of iron ore coal mixtures Roasting of micropelletised zinc sulphide concentrate Stabilisation of Cr(VI) in ferrochrome dust Increasing the carbon content of DRI Carbon and nitrogen in DRI Silicon carbide structure in PBMR (TRISO) fuel pellets Silicon carbide integrity in PBMR (TRISO) fuel pellets Silicon carbide production by CVD Sodium uptake by cathode carbon Interaction of silver vapour with metal carbides

Student

Staff

Status

Theresa Coetsee (PhD, part-time) Sean Heukelman (MEng, parttime) Ollie Bello (BScHons, full-time) Jean Lubamba (MSc, full-time) Markus Erwee (MEng, part-time) Noko Ngoepe (MEng, full-time) Mhakamuni Makamu (MSc, fulltime) Robert Cromarty (PhD, full-time) Levy Chauke (MSc, part-time) Lerato Mogorosi (BEng, parttime)

Chris Pistorius Dick Groot Andrie Garbers-Craig Chris Pistorius Chris Pistorius Johan de Villiers Johan de Villiers Johan de Villiers Andrie Garbers-Craig Johan de Villiers

Completed; writing up papers Writing up Experiments underway Writing up Finalising experimental work Experiments underway Experiments underway Planning experiments and building rig Experiments underway Experiments underway

University of Pretoria Research in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering: 2007

11

Graduate and final-year projects Project Physical metallurgy and corrosion

Nitrogen control during welding of high-nitrogen stainless steel Metal hydrogen control through SMAW electrode flux modification Corrosion fatigue in steam: threshold stress intensity Recrystallisation behaviour of cold-rolled carbon steel Modelling of the hot rolling of 304 stainless steel The effect of cooling rate and final plate thickness on the yield to tensile strength ratio in micro-alloyed TiNb linepipe steel Process design for the production of a high strength dual phase steel at AreclorMittal Vanderbijlpark Effect of mould flux on scale adhesion to reheated stainless steel slabs The transformation behaviour from austenite to ferrite after hot rolling in hot charged and cold charged SAE 1006 low carbon manganese steels Control of mechanical properties of 420 stainless steel through heat treatment Intermetallic phase formation in Type 441 stainless steel
Microstructural development during the laser cladding of martensitic stainless steel.

Student

Staff

Status

Jaco Velloen (BEng) Ulyate Curle (MEng, full-time) Charles Siyasiya (PhD, full time) Charl Smal (PhD, part-time) Zhenghua Tang (PhD full time) Johann Petrick (M Eng part time) Jean-Jacques Mukadi (MSc, fulltime) Francois Verdoorn (MSc, part-time) Lilian Barlow (MSc, part-time) Maitse Sello (PhD, full-time)
Corney van Rooyen (PhD, parttime)

Madeleine du Toit (staff)

Madeleine du Toit

Follow-up to PhD work Experimental work underway Graduated April 2007 Graduated September 2007 Finalising experimental work Graduated April 2007

Prof GT van Rooyen Waldo Stumpf Waldo Stumpf Waldo Stumpf

Waldo Stumpf Chris Pistorius Waldo Stumpf

On hold Writing up On hold (emigrated to Australia)

Madeleine du Toit Waldo Stumpf

Madeleine du Toit

Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Writing up Writing up On hold Planning experiments

Recrystallisation of 430 during vertical bright annealing Effect of surface finish on corrosion of stainless steel for automobile exhausts Secondary scale formation and control Controlled chloride cracking of austenitic stainless steel Corrosion of stainless steel weldments in acetic acid Precipitation behaviour of superalloy heat-exchanger tubes Water quality in cooling circuits

Hanlie Smit (MEng, part-time) Kavith Nundlall (MSc, part-time) Nicola Wells (MEng, part-time) Mantsaye Raseroka (MSc, parttime) Charl Orsmond (MEng, parttime) Wessel van Zyl (MEng, parttime) Shad Nana (PhD, part-time)

Waldo Stumpf Chris Pistorius Chris Pistorius Chris Pistorius Chris Pistorius Waldo Stumpf Chris Pistorius

University of Pretoria Research in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering: 2007

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Graduate and final-year projects Project Physical metallurgy and corrosion

Repair of Ni-base superalloy gas turbine components using a liquid phase sintering technique and novel brazing alloys
AlSiMg alloy wheels link between microstructure and fatigue

Student

Staff

Status

Warren Miglietti (PhD, part-time)

Madeleine du Toit

First draft submitted

Heinrich Jacobs (PhD, part-time)

Waldo Stumpf

On hold

Optimisation of the heat treatment parameters for semi-solid processed aluminium alloy A356 Corrosion fatigue behaviour of aluminium alloy welds Rheoprocessing of aluminium alloy 201 Determination of the SCC properties of rheocast aluminium alloy AA7075 Characterisation of structural changes in longlife alloy from hotmill gauge to final product Production of Ti-containing irons for wear-resistant applications Heat treatment of grinding balls

Hein Mller (PhD, part-time) Faustin Mutombo (MSc, fulltime) Prudence Masuku (BEng) Melissa Fowler (BEng) Lerato Mashigo (BEng) Zama Mbata (BScHons, fulltime) Bongani Ngobe (MSc, full-time)

Waldo Stumpf Madeleine du Toit Hein Mller Hein Mller Waldo Stumpf Waldo Stumpf Waldo Stumpf

Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Experimental work underway Completing coursework Planning experiments

Projects as at start of October 2007 Contact: Professor Chris Pistorius, Head, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa. e-mail: chris.pistorius@up.ac.za. Tel. +27 12 420 2187, fax +27 12 362 5304

University of Pretoria Research in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering: 2007

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