Alloy Casting by the Horizontal Ohno Continuous Casting System

Abstract

Sn-Pb alloys in the compositional range 2.5–22.5% Pb have been continuously cast using the horizontal Ohno Continuous Casting (OCC) process. The effects of alloy composition and process variables on the location and size of the liquid-solid zone were investigated and information obtained was examined in order to establish the breakout point. It was found that the liquid-solid zone existed partly or entirely within the mould during casting, depending on casting conditions. The liquid-solid zone expanded with increasing mould-cooler distance and also with decreasing mould exit temperature, whereas it remained constant with the casting speed within the range investigated. As the composition approaches the eutectic point, the L+S zone shifted into the mould, and existed entirely within the mould at 22.5% Pb. It was also found that breakout occurred when the rod temperature at the mould exit exceeded a critical temperature which can be expressed as Tc=228–2A, where Tc is the critical rod temperature in Celsius and A is wt% Pb (<22.5% Pb). It was confirmed that the mould exit temperature must be kept above the liquidus temperature of the alloy to be cast in order to obtained unidirectional or single crystal materials.     

Casting a Small-diameter Tin Wire by the OCC (Ohno Continuous Casting) Process

Abstract

Tin wires of 2 mm dia have been cast by the horizontal OCC process at speeds between 0.02 m/min and 4.2 m/min. It was found that unlike the casting of larger diameter rods, it was possible to continue casting, even if the solid-liquid interface existed outside the mould. If the mould exit temperature and the mould-cooler distance were maintained at 267°C and 2 mm respectively, the solid-liquid interface was located at the mould exit when the casting speed was 0.35 m/mln. However, when the casting speed exceeded about 1.2 m/min, the cast surface of the wire deteriorated and exhibited a matted appearance due to the formation of ridges. With a casting speed of 4.2 m/min, the solid-liquid interface location was estimated to be about 4 mm outside the mould. A calculated temperature distribution within the solidifying strand revealed that the solid-liquid interface entered the cooling water when the casting speed was 1.2 m/min. Thus, in order to obtain a cast wire with a high surface finish, the strand should be solidified outside the cooling water. Casting parameter values corresponding to the condition where the solid-liquid interface reaches the mould exit were considered to be critical co-ordinates for runout (breakout). When the solid-liquid interface is located between the mould and the cooling water, tight control of the casting process, and in particular control of the metal head, is essential in order to avoid dimensional instability and runout of the liquid metal.     

The Horizontal Ohno Continuous Casting Process: Process Variables and Their Effects on Casting Stability

Abstract

Temperature profile measurements within a heated mould have been made during continuous casting of pure tin rod of 8.5 mm dia in an attempt to obtain an understanding of the influence of process variables on the position of the solidification front. It has been established that process variables such as casting speed, mould temperature and cooling position have a sensitive effect on the position of the solidification front. It varies linearly with casting speed for a given cooling position and mould temperature. The change in position of the solidification front in turn exerts a significant effect on the surface quality of the cast strand. It has been demonstrated that the solidification front should be brought well within the mould in order to obtain good dimensional and casting stability.     

Flow patterns and re-melting during filling of a large composite casting

Abstract

The filling and remelting of an industrial scale composite casting has been simulated to investigate the effect of fluid flow patterns in the liquid metal on the remelting of the shell material of the composite casting. In the composite casting under investigation, an outer shell material is first cast inside a large cylindrical mould, which is then assembled to additional mould parts, and the core material is poured into the shell/mould assembly. During casting of the core, a thin layer of the shell material re-melts and mixes with the core material producing a bonding layer of intermediate composition. Obtaining the optimum re-melting and thus intermediate bonding zone between the shell and core is critical to producing high quality rolls. The present numerical model employs the volume of fluid method and an enthalpy-porosity technique to couple the filling of the core material and re-melting of the shell material. The interface between the solid and liquid phases is tracked and can be used as a guide to examine the extent of remelting and, to some degree, mixing of the shell and core material. Simulations have shown that the circulation loops that form in the liquid metal pool significantly affect the amount of shell material that remelts.     

Valid mould and process design to cast tensile and fatigue test bars in tilt pour casting process

Abstract

Tilt pour gravity casting technology is increasingly being used for shape casting various components with aluminium alloys. The ASTM B108/B108M-08 standard exists for a metal mould to evaluate the mechanical properties of castings made by gravity permanent mould process, yet there is no standard mould for the tilt pour process. We have designed, developed, tested and validated a standard mould to cast tensile and fatigue test bars in a tilt pour casting process. The new mould has demonstrated abilities to cast sound castings of A356·2 aluminium alloy, and the uniaxial tensile properties were superior to those obtained from conventional direct pour gravity casting process.     

Pulsating electromagnetic casting technique for slab casting

Abstract

To improve the surface quality of cast slabs in the steelmaking process, the pulsating electromagnetic casting (EMC) technique was developed and assessed using a slab casting bench scale test. Numerical simulation of the magnetohydrodynamic field and numerical simulation of the toughness of the mould were also conducted for the slab casting plant test. Consequently, the mould and coil for slab casting plant tests with pulsating EMC were manufactured and the basic functions were verified. Finally slab casting plant tests with the pulsating EMC technique were conducted.     

多型芯径向抽芯压铸模设计

轴套铸件上有12个周向均布的圆孔，压铸生产时需要多型芯径向抽芯。为此设计了一种特殊的轴套压铸模具，论述了模具结构特点和工作原理。该模具利用异形弯销、转盘及滑块完成多型芯径向抽芯，而未采用一般的齿轮一齿条机构或连杆机构，简化了模具结构。采用三脚推管推出铸件，解决了轴套铸件脱模难的问题。模具结构简单紧凑，工作可靠，操作方便，成型铸件质量好。     

热型连铸准单晶铜杆的工艺及性能

利用现有的水平连铸设备,改冷铸型为加热铸型,并在此基础上对电解铜（纯度99．95％）进行了水平连铸试验。在纯铜热型连铸过程中,当铸型出口温度为1135℃、拉铸速度为74mm／s、冷却距离为20mm时,能够拉铸出准单晶铜棒材。试验后对准单晶铜的电阻率和力学性能进行了测试分析,结果表明：与国家标准纯铜线T2M相比,准单晶铜的电阻率与国家标准相当;准单晶铜的抗拉强度与国家标准相比降低了26．6％,伸长率最大增加了76％。因此,准单晶铜具有较优异的塑性加工性能和较低电阻率,并且生产率较高。     

Production of High Quality Castings by the Centrifugal Electroslag Method

Abstract

The Ukrainian-based E. O. Paton Electric Welding Institute has developed new technology for the production of high-quality castings using the centrifugal electroslag casting process (CESC). The technology consists of preparing molten metal in an electroslag crucible furnace from where it is poured, together with the slag, into a rotating casting mould. The authors show that the initial metallic materials may consist of rolled off-cuts, worn-out parts and tools, lumpy waste, and cast stock from continuous casting plants. The use of electro-slag melting technology ensures that there is no loss of alloying elements from the basic charge materials and that there is an absence of harmful contaminants. It is said that the energy characteristics of the electroslag crucible furnace are not inferior to those of induction or arc furnaces. The process technology facilitates the production of high-quality close-to-form castings. The paper presents results of integrated studies of CESC casting quality and describes the method employed in the effective refining of the metal structure. The results of the authors' studies, together with industrial testing and evaluation, show that CESC castings can compete with forgings and stampings in the manufacture of special-purpose components.     

A Free Thermal Contraction Method for Modelling the Heat-transfer Coefficient at the Casting/Mould Interface

Abstract

This study is intended to explore a simple and inexpensive method that is able to model the variation and distribution of the heat transfer coefficient at the casting/mould interface. It has been assumed that, in a rigid mould, the magnitude of interface gap size primarily depends on the thermal contraction of cast metal as it solidifies. Consequently, a free thermal contraction method has been developed to describe the thermal contact phenomena at the casting/mould interface, based on the above assumptions. This method has been used in the solidification simulations for three sand castings of different shapes. The numerical solutions of the simulations agree closely with the experimental results of the thermocouple measurements in the castings and their moulds. For the casting and mould materials involved, the empirical parameters in the equation of the heat transfer coefficient are the same for each of these cases, i.e. independent of the geometric shape of the castings.     

铝合金管路零件压铸模设计

在具有斜向孔或斜向凹凸铸件压铸模设计中,斜向抽芯是压铸模设计的难点之一。管路铸件形状复杂,属不规则薄壁多孔铸件。其压铸成型除了需动、定模在开模方向上抽芯和两侧抽芯外,铸件内壁上还有一斜向孔,需斜向抽芯。本文给出了铝合金管路零件压铸模实用结构,论述了模具结构特点和工作原理。该模具采用拉钩-齿扇-齿条二级联合抽芯机构,利用开模力,实现管路铸件的斜向抽心,同时通过相应的两套斜销-滑块机构分别实现管路铸件另外两个侧向抽芯。模具结构紧凑,工作可靠,成型铸件质量好。     

Investigation of carbon contamination in lost foam castings of low carbon steel

Lost foam casting(LFC) process is a special casting method in which polymeric foam patterns with refractory coatings are utilized as a mould component. In this work, four types of foam: expandable polyethylene(EPE), expandable polypropylene(EPP) and expandable polystyrene(EPS) foams with two different densities were employed as pattern materials. LFC and conventional green sand mould casting methods were used to cast a low carbon steel, A216 Grade WCB. Both casting processes were carried out at 1,580 °C. Chemical analysis results showed that the carbon contamination level was high and was influenced by pattern type. Metallographic investigations revealed a significant increase in the percentage of pearlite phase in all LFC samples. Densities of manufactured samples were calculated in order to evaluate porosity of the products. It was determined that the densities of the LFC samples were lower than the green sand mould cast reference sample(RS). Vickers hardness tests were also carried out and increments in hardness values with increased carbon content was observed.     

Rapid fabricating process of zinc alloy moulds based on vacuum casting process

Abstract

A rapid fabrication process was developed by combining stereolithography prototype, silicone rubber mould and vacuum casting process for zinc alloy moulds. Transfer coating mould was introduced as casting moulds reproduced from silicone rubber moulds. Vacuum casting process was applied to improve filling ability of complicated mould with fine pattern surface. Vacuum reduces the gas counterpressure in the casting mould cavity and then improves the filling ability.     

高硅合金耐热铸铁生产球墨铸铁模具的研制

对铸铁模具使用工况进行了分析,采用了高硅合金耐热铸铁为生产球墨铸铁模具的材质,并介绍了高硅合金耐热球墨铸铁模具的消失模铸造工艺、冶炼工艺、热处理工艺以及该材质模具的实际使用效果。实际生产表明：高硅合金耐热球墨铸铁具有优越的综合耐热疲劳性能,大大提高了模具寿命。     

一模四腔旋转自动脱螺纹压铸模设计

给出了罩壳零件旋转自动脱螺纹压铸模实用结构,锁模力计算和工艺参数,论述了模具工作原理和设计要点。该压铸模一模四腔,带有齿轮-齿条传动旋转自动脱螺纹型芯机构。该机构具有自动脱螺纹和推出铸件的双重作用,利用开模力使螺纹型芯旋转脱出,同时推出铸件,省去了推出机构和复位机构。模具结构紧凑,工作可靠,操作方便,劳动强度低,生产效率高。     

一模四腔旋转自动脱螺纹压铸模设计

给出了罩壳零件旋转自动脱螺纹压铸模实用结构,锁模力计算和工艺参数,论述了模具工作原理和设计要点.该压铸模一模四腔,带有齿轮-齿条传动旋转自动脱螺纹型芯机构.该机构具有自动脱螺纹和推出铸件的双重作用,利用开模力使螺纹型芯旋转脱出,同时推出铸件,省去了推出机构和复位机构.模具结构紧凑,工作可靠,操作方便,劳动强度低,生产效率高.     

Effect of particle size variations of gypsum bonded investment powders on metallurgical quality of investment castings

Abstract

In the present work, the effect of particle size distribution parameters of investment powder on the metallurgical characteristics of castings produced by flask mould investment casting process was investigated. The main aim of this study is to establish the relationships between the casting quality and investment powder characteristics. For this purpose, models for tensile, density and surface roughness specimens were prepared in accordance with the standards and these models were moulded by gypsum bonded investment powders. Specimens of sterling silver (92·5Ag–7·5Cu alloy) were subsequently cast into these moulds by centrifugal casting process. After the completion of solidification process, the specimens were tested and results were analysed. The preliminary results illustrate that fineness of investment powders play an important role in determining the metallurgical quality of castings produced by investment casting process.     

Mullite shell mould for casting of advanced CG and SX components in nickel based superalloys

Abstract

Mullite base shell mould system is used for casting of superalloys in columnar and single crystal grains in temperature range of 1480–1550°C. The colloidal silica gel+mullite filler with and without fine alumina slurries was prepared followed by two shell moulds: one without alumina (shell system I) and the other with alumina (shell system II). Shell made with slurry system II resulted in increase in green strength by 10% and fired (950°C) strength by 125% respectively. Sag resistance capability was observed more for shell system II for tested temperatures from 1500 to 1650°C. Dimensional stability of low pressure turbine blade cast at 1550°C was also studied. No shell bulging effect was observed for both shell moulds. The importance of mullite filler material for shell mould to be used for investment casting and its capability to withstand high temperature without metal mould reaction have been highlighted.     

Mould filling simulation with cut cell in Cartesian grid system

Abstract

Cartesian grid system has mainly been used in the casting simulation even though it does not nicely represent sloped and curved surfaces. These distorted boundaries cause several problems. A special treatment is necessary to clear these problems. A cut cell method on Cartesian grids has been developed to simulate three-dimensional mould filling. Cut cells at a cast/mould interface are generated on Cartesian grids. Governing equations were computed using volume and areas of cast at cut cells.

In this paper, a new method that can consider the cutting cells which are cut by casting and mould based on the partial cell treatment is proposed. This method provides a better representation of geometry surface and will be used in the computation of velocities that are defined on the cell boundaries in the Cartesian gird system. Various test examples for several casting process were computed and validated. The analysis results of more accurate fluid flow pattern and less momentum loss owing to the stepped boundaries in the Cartesian grid system were confirmed. It can be known that the momentum energy at the cut cell is conserved by using the cut cell method. By using the cut cell method, the performance of computation gets better because of reducing the whole number of meshes.     

Evaluation of crucible and investment materials for lost wax investment casting of Ti and NiTi alloys

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the suitability of selected commercial ceramic crucibles for the investment casting of Ti6Al4V and NiTi alloys for jewellery purposes. A commercial vacuum tilt casting machine and a centrifugal casting machine were employed to cast the alloys in cold copper moulds or in refractory investment shells. The form filling of the shell and the crucible and investment reactions were assessed by microstructural investigation, chemical analysis and hardness profiles of the as cast items as a function of shell temperature. The reaction of the alloys strongly depended on the alloy, the crucible material, the coating of the crucibles and the temperature of the ceramic shell. Optimum results were achieved with yttria and yttria coated Al titanate crucibles for Ti6Al4V and NiTi alloys respectively. Improvement of the materials and process costs is necessary to allow the competitive casting of jewellery made from titanium alloys.