Centrifugal casting
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Revision as of 22:00, 9 September 2007
Centrifugal casting
1. What is the process? How does it work? The process is one in which cylindrical shapes can be produced. Iron, steel, stainless steels, and alloys of aluminum, copper and nickel are all materials that can be cast. Casting can be a combination of two materials during the process. The process works as a casting mold rotates at 300 – 3000 rotations per minute in which the hot mold is poured. By centrifugal force the metal forms on the outer wall of the cast under high pressure and turns to sold after cooling. The casting has a fine grain consistency in the interior but an even more finely grain material on the outside diameter. This consistency allows for less atmospheric corrosion. The impurities of the inside diameter can be machined away.
2. What kind of materials can be used, and what shapes can be created?
Iron, steel, stainless steels, and alloys of aluminum, copper and nickel are all materials that can be cast. Items that are typical of the process include pipes, boilers, pressure vessels, flywheels, cylinder liners and other parts that are axi-symmetric. Some companies allow for the casting of irregular shapes as well as concentric shapes, in sizes up to 120 inches in diameter and weights up to 30,000 pounds.
3. When should a designer choose this process to manufacture a part instead of alternatives? The benefits of Centrifugal casting beat an ulterior method like Sand casting. This process is known to outperform static products which may extend the product life and increase production of the number of rolls made. This type of casting improves the density of cast metal and increases the mechanical properties of the casting by 10% to 15%.
4. What should a designer know about this process in order to design a part appropriately for it? A designer should know that their materials necessary for the casting must fit the material grade of the casting company doing the casting. Also a designer must make sure that if a casting is an irregular shape whether or not it is able to be cast by a company. The weight and strength of the material being cast must be considered even though good casting companies can provide for ample different models and design arrangements.
http://www.millercentrifugal.com/ http://www.efunda.com/processes/metal_processing/centri_casting.cfm
