DRUŠTVO LIVARJEV SLOVENIJESLOVENIAN FOUNDRYMEN SOCIETY
Član The World Foundry OrganizationMember of World Foundry Organization

UNTERSUCHUNG ZUM KORNFEINUNGS-VERHALTEN VON ZRB2-PARTIKELN IN MAGNESIUM-ALUMINIUM-LEGIERUNGEN

The quality of castings produced by green sand moulds depends strongly on the compaction of moulding sand. The parameters of the moulding process of green sand directly affect casting quality, energy consumption and cycle time. Insufficient compaction can lead to rough casting surfaces and breakage. Too much compaction requires more energy, can cause casting defects due to low gas permeability and causes more wear on the pattern and equipment. Unnecessary holding periods of particular compaction process steps increase the cycle time and also cause higher energy consumption. The determination of optimal compaction parameters is often carried out by trial-and-error-method, which is expensive and time consuming. To improve this situation, the process of compaction is modelled by 3D mathematical model and calculated using the finite element method. For the simulation of the squeeze process software is currently being developed to spatially model various compaction parameters. For the validation of the calculated and the experimental dates the computer tomography method was used. The effect of different moulding parameters was examined using a new sensor. During mould compaction the sand density in different regions of the mould was recorded over time. These results allow foundry personnel to monitor, adjust and optimise the moulding process.
Keywords: Green Sand Moulding, Compaction, Sensor, Numerical Modelling, Computer Tomography

INFLUENCE OF HEAT TREATMENT ON A PORTION OF MICRO STRUCTURAL CONSTITUENTS IN AL–SI–FE–CU ALLOY

The effect of homogenization on the fraction of microstructural constituents in the Al-Mg-Si-Fe wrought alloy was examined. Three samples were homogenized at 560 °C for 4, 6 and 8 hours, and one was examined as cast. Microstructural constituents and the variation of their fractions with the time of homogenization were metallographically analyzed using light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Also the fractions of lead and bismuth inclusions were determined, and the mean intercept distances or grain sizes were determined, too, for all the samples.