Some Recent Developments in the Aluminium Casting Industry

The author shows that the call for high-integrity accurate thin-walled castings in light alloy has resulted in a reappraisal of sand-based moulding methods which might provide designers with an economic answer to their needs. It is suggested that several sand-based processes can now produce results equal or superior to traditional diecasting routes based on gravity or pressure fill. Amongst subjects discussed are low-pressure-filled zircon and silica sand moulds; core-assembly techniques; the use of expendable expanded polystyrene patterns and the V-Process.