The Influence of the Mould Filling Conditions on the Quality of Castings Made of EN AC-44000 Alloy

Abstract

The work deals with the influence of change in the filling conditions of the ceramic moulds with plaster binder on the presence of gaseous porosity and the microstructure of the achieved test castings with graded wall thickness. Castings made of EN AC-44000 alloy, produced either by gravity casting, or by gravity casting with negative pressure generated around the mould (according to the Vacumetal technology), or by counter-gravity casting were compared. The results of examinations concerning the density of the produced castings indicate that no significant change in porosity was found. The increased size of silicon crystals was found for the increased wall thicknesses due to the slower cooling and solidification of castings.

Keywords

• Innovative foundry materials and technologies
• Plaster mould
• Counter-gravity casting
• Vacuum casting