Improving strength in casting mold by control of starting material and process

Abstract

In developing high temperature molds with advantages of the sand and precision (investment) castings, mechanical properties of the mold were improved through homogeneous coating of starting powders with an inorganic binder and improvement of fabrication process. Beads with mullite composition were employed for properties of the mold under high temperature, which was compared with artificial sands. Precursors of silica and sodium oxide were used as starting materials for an inorganic binder to achieve homogeneous coating on the starting powders. Strength was enhanced by the glass phase converted from the inorganic binder through heat treatment process. Also, two kinds of process, wet and dry processes, were incorporated to prepare mold specimens. Consequently, fabrication process of the mold with superior strength and high temperature applicability, compared with the previous molds for sand casting, could be suggested through control of the starting material and enhancement of the vitrification efficiency.