Casting quality improvement by gating system optimization

Abstract

One of the main reason for decreased internal homogeneity of aluminium alloy castings is reoxidation. The resulting products of reoxidation are doubled oxides, so called "bifilms". Submitted paper deals with optimization of gating system design in order to reduce reoxidation processes taking place in mold cavity. Experimental work compares and evaluates three gating systems designs based on non-pressurized and naturally pressurized principles. Unconventional spin trap extension of runner was used in third design. Among the evaluated aspects were: mechanical properties, hot tearing index, visual inspection of average porosity amount, numerical simulation of velocity, turbulence and oxide amount. Paper aim is also to clarify the reoxidation phenomenon by visualization with the aid of ProCAST numerical simulation software. Results of mechanical properties and hot tear index clearly confirmed the positive effect of the naturally pressurized gating system with applied element for velocity reduction.