Investigation on the Rate of Solidification and Mould Heating in the Casting of Commercially Pure Aluminium in Permanent Moulds of varying Thicknesses

Abstract

The quality of casting in the foundry can be measured by the rate at which solidification of the molten metal takes place, which is consequent upon the rate the mould, is able to dissipate the heat of solidification to the surroundings. The faster or slower the heat removal process during solidification the structure of the grains formed by the casting is either finer of coarser. An experimental investigation was carried out to compare the rate of solidification of commercially pure aluminium in metallic moulds. The rate at which solidification occurred was compared with the rate at which the mould absorbed and dissipates heat. The experiments conducted recorded the temperature fields at different casting location and that of the moulds respectively. The results showed that there is a direct relation of the rate of heat absorption by the mould and the rate of solidification in metallic moulds.