The course gives an overview over both component casting and processes such as ingot casting, continuous casting and direct casting and describe and explain the problems that can arise during metal casting, solidification and cooling.

In particular, the following is addressed during lessons, exercises and practical work:
Casting methods for production of components and manufacturing of sheet metal, steel bars and wire.
The hydrodynamics, flow processes at casting and the properties of the melt system in relation to its casting properties.
Models for solidification from thermal conductivity viewpoint for different casting processes.
The structure formation in different casting processes. Nucleation in and inoculation in melts.
Formation of micro and macro segregation.
Structural changes at heating, forming and homogenisation.
The solubility of gases in melts and precipitation of gas and of secondary phases during solidification.
Influence of shrinkage on solidification processes.
Cooling shrinkage, thermal stress and crack formation during cooling.
Analytical and numerical modelling of solidification and casting processes.

After passing the course, the student should be able to:

• Give example of and justify for the use of common casting processes for manufacturing of components, as well as blanks (workpieces)
• Apply and calculate fluid dynamic processes for metal flow at tapping and filling of a casting system for manufacturing of components, as well as blanks
• Explain principles and justify adopted models for heat transport at the moulding and solidification of metals
• Explain and justify for structure and structure formation in casted materials and the appearance of micro and macro segregations during solidification
• Explain the origin of casting defects such as shrinkage, gas porosity, slags, secondary phases and cracks and methods and processes to control and minimise these
• Dimension and simulate a casting system with the purpose of minimising casting defects and maximising yield, and present this in a scientific context.
• Describe and give examples of the complexity of a real industrial process chain for casting of components or blanks and present this during a seminar

The course consists of thirteen (13) lectures, two (2) exercise sessions and two (2) laboratory sessions.

Some lectures are given by industrial guest lecturers with particular expertise in each topic.

In exercise sessions, you will be set computer simulation exercises to complete with the support of a member of staff.

In the laboratory session, you will see how electrolytic extraction is used to analyse defects in cast material.

Here is a course schedule correct as of 2026-05-20. To see the up-to-date schedule, please refer to the KTH Schema service or subscribe to the course calendar.

Basic knowledge of metal casting processes. 

Basic knowledge of the fluid dynamics of melts.

The course follows the teaching in Fredriksson, H., & Akerlind, U. (2006). Materials processing During casting. Wiley.  This is available in print or electronically through the KTH library.

Any additional literature shall be recommended during the course.

Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

• STU1 - Study visit, 0.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN2 - Written exam, 4.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• PRA1 - Practical training, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

STU1 - Study visit, 0.5 credits

This is the computer exercise at the end of the course. Successful participatio nand submission of a reasonable attempt at a solution is sufficient to pass this part of the examination.

TEN2 - Written exam, 4.0 credits

Traditional written exam, as scheduled in the timetable for the exam week after study period 1 (P1).

PRA1 - Practical training, 1.5 credits

This is a combined grade from the two laboratory sessions.

An examination (TEN1; 3.8 credits)
Computer assignment (ÖVN1; 1.5 credits)
Lab and study visits (LAB1; 0.7 credits)

Should the written examination be failed with a grade of FX, the student may elect to compelte an additional exercise, the form of which shall be decided by the examiner at their sole discretion. Satisfactory completion of this exercise shall result in a grade of E being awarded for both the written examination and the course. Alternatively, the student may elect to take a new examination to attempt to achieve a higher grade.

Should an examination be failed with a grade of F, the student may complete a new examination.

There is no possibility to raise an approved grade via renewed examination. Once the course is passed, the grade is final and cannot be improved.

Activities missed without a valid reason shall be considered to be failed with a grade of F.

Should any student know in advance that they shall be unable to complete any examination or activity for any reason whatsoever, they should inform the examiner as soon as possible to discuss alternative examintion.

Should any student miss an exam or be unable to complete an activity without prior warning for a justifiable reason, e.g. illness, or death in the family, that student should inform the examiner as soon as possible to discuss an alternative examination.

Exam results shall be reported in Canvas in the first instance and then on Ladok.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

On 15/10/2019, the Dean of the ITM School has decided to establish this official course syllabus to apply from spring term 2020 (registration number M-2019-2226).

The teachers giving the lectures have changes and the lectures have been restructured to reflect this change. The new topics are listed in the detailed course plan in the course memo.