Search

Nowadays, the best castings’ manufacturers have to meet very demanding requirements and specifications applicable to mechanical properties and other characteristics. To fulfill those requirements, more and more sophisticated methods are being used to analyze the internal quality of castings. In many cases, the commonly used Non-Destructive Methods, like X-ray or ultrasonic testing, are not enough to ensure precise and unequivocal evaluation. Especially, when the properties of the casting only slightly fail the specification and the reasons for such failures are very subtle, thus difficult to find without the modern techniques. The paper presents some aspects of such an approach with the use of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to analyze internal defects that can critically decrease the performance of castings. The paper presents the so-called bifilm defects in ductile and chromium cast iron, near-surface corrosion caused by sulfur, micro-shrinkage located under the risers, lustrous carbon precipitates, and other microstructure features. The method used to find them, the results of their analysis, and the possible causes of the defects are presented. The conclusions prove the SEM is now a powerful tool not only for scientists but it is more and more often present in the R&D departments of the foundries.

The production of high pressure die casts also brings difficulties regarding the processing of the waste material. It is mainly formed by runners, overflows and other foundry supplements used and, in the case of machines using the cold chamber, also the remainder from this chamber. As this material is often returned to the production process, we refer to it as return material. In the production process, it is therefore essential to deal with the proportion issue of return material against primary material that can be added to the melt to maintain the required cast properties. The submitted article monitors the quality properties of the alloy, selected mechanical properties of casts and porosity depending on the proportion of the return material in the melt. At the same time, the material savings are evaluated with regards to the amount of waste and the economic burden of the foundries. To monitor the above-mentioned factors, series of casts were produced from the seven melting process variants with a variable ratio of return to the primary material. The proportion ratio of return material in the primary alloy was adjusted from 100% of the primary alloy to 100% of the return material in the melting process. It has been proven that with the increasing proportion of the return material, the chemical composition of the melt changes, the mechanical properties of the alloy decrease and the porosity of the casts increases. Based on the results of the tests and analyzes, the optimal ratio of return and primary material in the melting process has been determined. Considering the prescribed quality of the alloy and mechanical properties, concerning the economic indicator of the savings, the ratio is set at 70:30 [%] in favor of the primary material.

This paper discusses the identification, mechanism and causes for the rough surface defect on the sand castings. In foundries raw materials are transformed into finished casting using many intermediate processes like pattern making, moulding, core making, melting and fettling. It is very difficult to control all these processes due to the involvement of lot of people and materials. It is always a challenging task for the foundrymen to produce quality castings with good surface finish consistently. Generally rough surface on casting may occur due to a single cause or a combination of causes. Hence, identification and finding the root causes for rough surface defect are important to prevent its occurrence further. The possible causes for rough surface defect involving the foundry tools and processes are presented as cause and effect diagrams. The main outcome of this paper is to investigate the significant factors causing this defect and to prevent it on the castings.

Industrial X-ray analysis is common in aerospace, automotive or nuclear industries where structural integrity of some parts needs to be guaranteed. However, the interpretation of radiographic images is sometimes difficult and may lead to two experts disagree on defect classification. The automated defect recognition (ADR) system presented herein will reduce the analysis time and will also help reducing the subjective interpretation of the defects while increasing the reliability of the human inspector. Our convolutional neural network (CNN) model achieves 0.942 mAP@IoU = 0.50, which is considered as similar to expected human performance, when applied to an automotive aluminium castings dataset (GDXray). On an industrial environment, its inference time is less than 400 ms per 16 GB DICOM image (16 bits), so it can be installed on production facilities with no impact on delivery time. In addition, an ablation study of the main hyper-parameters to optimise model accuracy from the initial baseline result of 0.75 mAP up to 0.942 mAP, was also conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the best castings' manufacturers have to meet very demanding requirements and specifications applicable to mechanical properties and other characteristics. To fulfill those requirements, more and more sophisticated methods are being used to analyze the internal quality of castings. In many cases, the commonly used Non-Destructive Methods, like X-ray or ultrasonic testing, are not enough to ensure precise and unequivocal evaluation. Especially, when the properties of the casting only slightly fail the specification and the reasons for such failures are very subtle, thus difficult to find without the modern techniques. The paper presents some aspects of such an approach with the use of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to analyze internal defects that can critically decrease the performance of castings. The paper presents the so-called bifilm defects in ductile and chromium cast iron, near-surface corrosion caused by sulfur, micro-shrinkage located under the risers, lustrous carbon precipitates, and other microstructure features. The method used to find them, the results of their analysis, and the possible causes of the defects are presented. The conclusions prove the SEM is now a powerful tool not only for scientists but it is more and more often present in the R&D departments of the foundries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of high pressure die casts also brings difficulties regarding the processing of the waste material. It is mainly formed by runners, overflows and other foundry supplements used and, in the case of machines using the cold chamber, also the remainder from this chamber. As this material is often returned to the production process, we refer to it as return material. In the production process, it is therefore essential to deal with the proportion issue of return material against primary material that can be added to the melt to maintain the required cast properties. The submitted article monitors the quality properties of the alloy, selected mechanical properties of casts and porosity depending on the proportion of the return material in the melt. At the same time, the material savings are evaluated with regards to the amount of waste and the economic burden of the foundries. To monitor the above-mentioned factors, series of casts were produced from the seven melting process variants with a variable ratio of return to the primary material. The proportion ratio of return material in the primary alloy was adjusted from 100% of the primary alloy to 100% of the return material in the melting process. It has been proven that with the increasing proportion of the return material, the chemical composition of the melt changes, the mechanical properties of the alloy decrease and the porosity of the casts increases. Based on the results of the tests and analyzes, the optimal ratio of return and primary material in the melting process has been determined. Considering the prescribed quality of the alloy and mechanical properties, concerning the economic indicator of the savings, the ratio is set at 70:30 [%] in favor of the primary material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper includes validation studies of the flow module of the NovaFlow&Solid simulation code. Experiments of ductile iron and gray iron casting in a spiral test of castability were carried out. Casting experiments were then carried out in industrial conditions in the Ferrex Foundry in Poznań and the results are the castability spiral length and local cast iron rate during mould cavity pouring. Simulation tests using NovaFlow&Solid Control Volume code were made. The technological castability test was used to determine thermal-physical data through simplified inversion problem. Influence of physical parameters in the database of simulation code on the spiral length obtained as the result of simulation was analyzed. It was found that critical fraction of capillary flow CLFdown has the biggest impact on cast iron castability in the simulation code. The simulations resulted in defining parameters of gray iron GJL 250 and ductile iron GJS-400-15. For the parameters set, the length of castability spiral in simulations was in accordance with casting experiments.

The objective of this work is to gain a deeper understanding of the separation effects and particle movement during filtration of nonmetallic inclusions in aluminum casting on a macroscopic level. To understand particle movement, complex simulations are performed using Flow 3D. One focus is the influence of the filter position in the casting system with regard to filtration efficiency. For this purpose, a real filter geometry is scanned with computed tomography (CT) and integrated into the simulation as an STL file. This allows the filtration processes of particles to be represented as realistically as possible. The models provide a look inside the casting system and the flow conditions before, in, and after the filter, which cannot be mapped in real casting tests. In the second part of this work, the casting models used in the simulation are replicated and cast in real casting trials. In order to gain further knowledge about filtration and particle movement, non-metallic particles are added to the melt and then separated by a filter. These particles are then detected in the filter by metallographic analysis. The numerical simulations of particle movement in an aluminum melt during filtration, give predictions in reasonable agreement with experimental measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal of inclusions is a major challenge prior to the casting process, as they cause a discontinuity in the cast material, thereby lowering its mechanical properties and have a negative impact on the feeding capability and fluidity of the liquid alloys. In order to achieve adequate melt quality for casting, it is important to clean the melts from inclusions, for which there are numerous methods that can be used. In the course of the presented research, the inclusion removal efficiency of rotary degassing coupled with the addition of different fluxes was investigated. The effects of various cleaning fluxes on the inclusion content and the susceptibility to pore formation were compared by the investigation of K-mold samples and the evaluation of Density Index values at different stages of melt preparation. The chemical composition of the applied fluxes was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, while the melting temperature of the fluxes was evaluated by derivatographic measurements. It was found that only the solute hydrogen content of the liquid metal could be significantly reduced during the melt treatments, however, better inclusion removal efficiency could be achieved with fluxes that have a low melting temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mathematical model and numerical simulations of the solidification of a cylindrical casting, which take into account the process of the mould cavity filling by liquid metal and the feeding of the casting through the conical riser during its solidification, are proposed in the paper. The interdependence of thermal and flow phenomena were taken into account because they have an essential influence on solidification process. The effect of the pouring temperature and pouring velocity of the metal on the solidification kinetics of the casting was determined. In order to obtain the casting without shrinkage defects, an appropriate selection of these parameters was tried, which is important for foundry practice. The velocity fields have been obtained from the solution of Navier-Stokes equations and continuity equation, while temperature fields from solving the equation of heat conductivity containing the convection term. In the solidification modelling the changes in thermo-physical parameters as a function of temperature were considered. The finite element method (FEM) was used to solve the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper indicates the significance of the problem of foundry processes parameters stability supervision and assessment. The parameters, which can be effectively tracked and analysed using dedicated computer systems for data acquisition and exploration (Acquisition and Data Mining systems, A&D systems) were pointed out. The state of research and methods of solving production problems with the help of computational intelligence systems (Computational Intelligence, CI) were characterised. The research part shows capabilities of an original A&DM system in the aspect of selected analyses of recorded data for cast defects (effect) forecast on the example of a chosen iron foundry. Implementation tests and analyses were performed based on selected assortments for grey and nodular cast iron grades (castings with 50 kg maximum weight, casting on automatic moulding lines for disposable green sand moulds). Validation tests results, applied methods and algorithms (the original system's operation in real production conditions) confirmed the effectiveness of the assumptions and application of the methods described. Usability, as well as benefits of using A&DM systems in foundries are measurable and lead to stabilisation of production conditions in particular sections included in the area of use of these systems, and as a result to improvement of casting quality and reduction of defect number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article summarizes the theoretical knowledge from the field of brazing of graphitic cast iron, especially by means of conventional flame brazing using a filler metal based on CuZn (CuZn40SnSi – brass alloy). The experimental part of the thesis presents the results of performance assessment of brazed joints on other than CuZn basis using silicone (CuSi3Mn1) or aluminium bronze (CuAl10Fe). TIG electrical arc was used as a source of heat to melt these filler materials. The results show satisfactory brazed joints with a CuAl10Fe filler metal, while pre-heating is not necessary, which favours this method greatly while repairing sizeable castings. The technological procedure recommends the use of AC current with an increased frequency and a modified balance between positive and negative electric arc polarity to focus the heat on a filler metal without melting the base material. The suitability of the joint is evaluated on the basis of visual inspection, mechanic and metallographic testing.

A significant development of the foundry industry contributes to the creation of high reliability and operational strength castings so that they meet specific standards in accordance with customers' needs. This technology, however, is inseparably connected with casting defects in finished products. Cast products are subject to various defects which are considered acceptable or not, which is conditioned by the alloy chemical composition and strength characteristics, that is, generally - qualities to be agreed between the foundry and the customer. It is the latter that led the authors to research on designing a tool enabling the most reliable possible assessment of the emerging casting defects, which after proper consultations can be repaired and the casting - sold. The paper presents an original tool named the Open Atlas of Defects (OAD), developed for the last few years to support the evaluation of cast iron defects using Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) casting defects analysis tools (DCC card - Demerit Control Chart, Pareto-Lorenz analysis and ABC analysis). The OAD tool structure was presented as an integral part of the original system module for acquisition and data mining (A&DM) in conjunction with the possibilities of using selected tools for defect analysis support on the example of cast iron casting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presented paper shows the mathematical and numerical approaches for modelling of binary alloy solidification solved by the Finite Element Method (FEM). The phenomenon of shrinkage cavities formation process is included in the numerical model. Multiple macroscopic cavities can be modelled within the single casting volume. Solid, liquid and gaseous phases with different material properties are taken into account during solidification process. Mathematical model uses the differential equation of heat diffusion. Modification of specific heat is used to describe the heat releasing during liquid-solid phase change. Numerical procedure of shrinkage cavities evolution is based on the recognition of non-connected liquid volumes and local shrinkage computation in the each of them. The recognition is done by the selection of sets of interconnected nodes containing liquid phase in the finite element mesh. Original computer program was developed to perform calculation process. Obtained results of temperature and shrinkage cavities distributions are presented and discussed in details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mathematical model and numerical simulations of the solidification of a cylindrical shaped casting, which take into account the process of filling the mould cavity by liquid metal and feeding the casting through the riser during its solidification, are presented in the paper. Mutual dependence of thermal and flow phenomena were taken into account because have an essential influence on solidification process. The effect of the riser shape on the effectiveness of feeding of the solidifying casting was determined. In order to obtain the casting without shrinkage defects, an appropriate selection of riser shape was made, which is important for foundry practice. Numerical calculations of the solidification process of system consisting of the casting and the conical or cylindrical riser were carried out. The velocity fields have been obtained from the solution of momentum equations and continuity equation, while temperature fields from solving the equation of heat conductivity containing the convection term. Changes in thermo-physical parameters as a function of temperature were considered. The finite element method (FEM) was used to solve the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper includes validation studies of the flow module of the NovaFlow&Solid simulation code. Experiments of ductile iron and gray iron casting in a spiral test of castability were carried out. Casting experiments were then carried out in industrial conditions in the Ferrex Foundry in Poznań and the results are the castability spiral length and local cast iron rate during mould cavity pouring. Simulation tests using NovaFlow&Solid Control Volume code were made. The technological castability test was used to determine thermal-physical data through simplified inversion problem. Influence of physical parameters in the database of simulation code on the spiral length obtained as the result of simulation was analyzed. It was found that critical fraction of capillary flow CLFdown has the biggest impact on cast iron castability in the simulation code. The simulations resulted in defining parameters of gray iron GJL 250 and ductile iron GJS-400-15. For the parameters set, the length of castability spiral in simulations was in accordance with casting experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the most popular production method for manufacturing high quality casts of aluminium alloys is the hot and cold chamber die casting. Die casts made of hypereutectoid silumin Silafont 36 AlSi9Mg are used for construction elements in the automotive industry. The influence of the metal input and circulating scrap proportion on porosity and mechanical properties of the cast has been examined and the results have been shown in this article. A little porosity in samples has not influenced the details strength and the addition of the circulating scrap has contributed to the growth of the maximum tensile force. Introducing 80% of the circulating scrap has caused great porosity which led to reduce the strength of the detail. The proportion of 40% of the metal input and 60% of the circulating scrap is a configuration safe for the details quality in terms of porosity and mechanical strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current casting production of castings brings increased demands for surface and internal quality of the castings. Important factors, that influence the quality of casted components, are the materials used for the manufacture of moulds and cores. For the preparation and production of moulds and cores, in order to achieve a low level of casting defects, then it used a high quality input materials, including various types of sands, modified binders, additives, etc. However, even the most expensive raw materials are not a guarantee to achieve the quality of production. It is always necessary to choose the appropriate combination of input material together with an appropriate proposal for the way of the production, the metallurgical treatment of cast alloy, etc. The aim of this paper is to establish the basic principles for the selection of the base core mixtures components - sands to eliminate defects from the tension, specifically veining. Various silica sand, which are commonly used in foundries of Middle Europe region, were selected and tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, ingredients, also known as additives, which appreciably affect the quality of the casting surface, come to the fore. Additives - lower the temperature at which SiO2 (major component of silica sand) begins to soften and create a melt on the surface of the grains, increase the reactivity and decrease the temperature of a transition to tridimite and cristobalit. These passages support the increase of volume of subsurface sand stress and the tension for the formation of burrs and other casting defects on the surface of the core or the mold.

The paper presents the results of experimental-simulation tests of expansion-shrinkage phenomena occurring in cast iron castings. The tests were based on the standard test for inspecting the tendency of steel-carbon alloys to create compacted discontinuities of the pipe shrinkage type. The cast alloy was a high-silicone ductile iron of GJS - 600 - 10 grade. The validation regarding correctness of prognoses of the shrinkage defects was applied mostly to the simulation code (system) NovaFlow & Solid CV (NFS CV). The obtained results were referred to the results obtained using the Procast system (macro- and micromodel). The analysis of sensitivity of the modules responsible for predicting the shrinkage discontinuities on selected pre-processing parameters was performed, focusing mostly on critical fractions concerning the feeding flows (mass and capillary) and variation of initial temperature of the alloy in the mould and heat transfer coefficient (HTC) on the casting - chill interface.

The results of researches of sorption processes of surface layers of components of sand moulds covered by protective coatings are presented in the hereby paper. Investigations comprised various types of sand grains of moulding sands with furan resin: silica sand, reclaimed sand and calcined in temperature of 700°C silica sand. Two kinds of alcoholic protective coatings were used - zirconium and zirconium - graphite. Tests were performed under condition of a constant temperature within the range 30 - 35°C and high relative air humidity 75 - 80%. To analyze the role of sand grains in sorption processes quantitavie moisture sorption with use of gravimetric method and ultrasonic method were used in measurements. The tendency to moisture sorption of surface layers of sand moulds according to the different kinds of sand grains was specified. The effectiveness of protective action of coatings from moisture sorption was analyzed as well.

The paper presents results of the possibility of adapting the Althoff-Radtke test for High Chromium Cast Iron. The Althoff-Radtke test is a clump attempt used for steel. The Althoff-Radtke test has four different lengths of clamp which qualifies it as a test to quantitatively take into account different kinds of shrinkage ΔL. The length of the slot of the cracked corner and the length of each staple (50 - 350 mm) are the parameters tendency to cast cracks. Castings of white cast iron have a high tendency to hot cracking due to the large range of solidification temperatures, unfavorable kinetics parameters of shrinkage, and especially a lack of expansion before shrinkage. Shrinkage of high chromium white cast iron is similar to the shrinkage of cast steel, and is approximately 2%. Therefore it is important to test susceptibility to hot cracks. Research was carried out under industrial conditions. Four melts were performed, one of the initial chemical composition and the other three modified by different amounts of Fe-Ti, respectively, 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% Fe-Ti. The propensity for hot cracking was based on the observation of the dark surface in the corner of the sample. The study shows that the Althoff-Radtke test can be adapted to determine the tendency for hot cracking of high chromium cast iron. It should however be noted that the test results cannot be compared with those for other alloys.

The validation of each simulation code used in foundry domain requires individual approach due to its specificity. This validation can by elaborated on the basis of experimental results or in particular cases by comparison the simulation results from different codes. The article concerns the influence of grey cast iron density curve and different forms of solid fraction curve Fs=f(T) on the formation of shrinkage discontinuities. Solid fraction curves applying Newtonian Thermal Analysis (NTA) were estimated. The experimental and numerical simulation tests were performed on the castings, which were made with Derivative Thermal Analysis (DerTA) standard cups. The numerical tests were realized using NovaFlow&Solid (NF&S), ProCast and Vulcan codes. In this work, the coupled influence of both curves on the dynamics of the shrinkage-expansion phenomena and on shrinkage defects prognosis in grey cast iron castings has been revealed. The final evaluation of the simulation systems usefulness should be based on validation experiment, preceded by comparing the simulation results of available systems which are proposed in given technology.

This paper presents modification method to calculate the depth and cross section area of defects in internal structure of castings by X-Ray radiography technique. Aluminum block incorporate simulated defects which represented by three steel spheres of different sizes and depths, were prepared. Typical radiographs were taken at optimum conditions from two opposite sides of the aluminum alloy block. Then typical radiographs were taken from top side of the aluminum alloy block accomplished by moving the x-ray source at measured interval distances for depth determination. Image J program were used to analysis of the X-Ray films, getting information about the cross section area of the shadow of defects on radiographs and required distance measurement on radiograph, whatever their shape, regular or irregular. Equations derived earlier were adapted to calculate the depth of defects in term of their shadows on radiograph. By compensation the optimum data which got from the Image J program in these equations, the ultimate goal in high accuracy detection of the depth of defects were achieved. The effect of the x-ray fluorescence on the quality of the x-ray image due to use of unsuitable x-ray voltage was also studied. This was achieved by using of different kV to radiograph a test object of (0.1) mm in thickness of Cu and Ag samples.

Inconel 713C alloy belongs to the group of materials with high application potential in the aerospace industry. This nickel alloy has excellent features such as high strength, good surface stability, high creep and corrosion resistance. The paper presents the results of metallographic examinations of a base material and padding welds made by laser beam on the Inconel 713C alloy. The tests were made on precisely cast test plates imitating low - pressure turbine blades dedicated for the aerospace industry. Observations of the macro- and microstructure of the padding welds, heat-affected zone and base material indicate, that the Inconel 713C alloy should be classified as a hard-to-weld material. In the investigated joint, cracking of the material is disclosed mainly in the heat-affected zone and at the melted zone interface, where pad weld crystals formed on partially melted grains. The results show that phases rich with chromium and molybdenum were formed by high temperature during welding process, which was confirmed by EDS analysis of chemical composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing technology development, an increasing emphasis is placed on the precision of products, but cannot be guaranteed without a stable production process. To ensure the stability of the production process, it is necessary to monitor it in detail, find its critical locations and eliminate or at least control it. With such a precise manufacturing method as investment casting, such a process is a must. This paper therefore deals with monitoring the production process of wax models of large turbine blades using infrared thermography. The aim was to evaluate the critical locations of this production and to propose recommendations for their elimination or, at the very least, significant mitigation of their impact on the final quality of the large turbine blade casting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation software can be used not only for checking the correctness of a particular design but also for finding rules which could be used in majority of future designs. In the present work the recommendations for optimal distance between a side feeder and a casting wall were formulated. The shrinkage problems with application of side feeders may arise from overheating of the moulding sand layer between casting wall and the feeder in case the neck is too short as well as formation of a hot spot at the junction of the neck and the casting. A large number of simulations using commercial software were carried out, in which the main independent variables were: the feeder’s neck length, type and geometry of the feeder, as well as geometry and material of the casting. It was found that the shrinkage defects do not appear for tubular castings, whereas for flat walled castings the neck length and the feeders’ geometry are important parameters to be set properly in order to avoid the shrinkage defects. The rules for optimal lengths were found using the Rough Sets Theory approach, separately for traditional and exothermic feeders.

Simulation software dedicated for design of casting processes is usually tested and calibrated by comparisons of shrinkage defects distribution predicted by the modelling with that observed in real castings produced in a given foundry. However, a large amount of expertise obtained from different foundries, including especially made experiments, is available from literature, in the form of recommendations for design of the rigging systems. This kind of information can be also used for assessment of the simulation predictions. In the present work two parameters used in the design of feeding systems are considered: feeding ranges in horizontal and vertical plates as well as efficiency (yield) of feeders of various shapes. The simulation tests were conducted using especially designed steel and aluminium castings with risers and a commercial FDM based software. It was found that the simulations cannot predict appearance of shrinkage porosity in horizontal and vertical plates of even cross-sections which would mean, that the feeding ranges are practically unlimited. The yield of all types of feeders obtained from the simulations appeared to be much higher than that reported in the literature. It can be concluded that the feeding flow modelling included in the tested software does not reflect phenomena responsible for the feeding processes in real castings properly. Further tests, with different types of software and more fundamental studies on the feeding process modelling would be desirable.

This article presents a computer system for the identification of casting defects using the methodology of Case-Based Reasoning. The system is a decision support tool in the diagnosis of defects in castings and is designed for small and medium-sized plants, where it is not possible to take advantage of multi-criteria data. Without access to complete process data, the diagnosis of casting defects requires the use of methods which process the information based on the experience and observations of a technologist responsible for the inspection of ready castings. The problem, known and studied for a long time, was decided to be solved with a computer system using a CBR (Case-Based Reasoning) methodology. The CBR methodology not only allows using expert knowledge accumulated in the implementation phase, but also provides the system with an opportunity to “learn” by collecting new cases solved earlier by this system. The authors present a solution to the system of inference based on the accumulated cases, in which the main principle of operation is searching for similarities between the cases observed and cases stored in the knowledge base.

Production of castings, like any other field of technology is aimed at providing high-quality product, free from defects. One of the main causes of defects in castings is the phenomenon of shrinkage of the casting. This phenomenon causes the formation of shrinkage cavities and porosity in the casting. The major preventive measure is supplementing a shortage of liquid metal. For supplement to be effective, it is necessary to use risers in proper shapes. Usually, the risers are selected on the basis of determination the place of formation of hot-spots in the castings. Although in these places the shrinkage defects are most likely to occur, shape and size of these defects are also affected by other factors. The article describes the original program setting out the shape and location of possible cavities in the casting. In the program is also taken into account the effect of temperature on the change in volume of liquid metal and the resultant differences in the shape and size of formed shrinkage cavities. The aim of the article is to describe the influence that have material properties of the mold on the simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Instrumented impact strength tests have been carried out on KV sub-size Charpy samples drawn from A356 aluminium alloy 17-in. wheels, produced by a low-pressure die casting. The wheels show different geometry and thermal treatment. In this paper, the effects of microstructure and defects on the impact properties are studied. The results indicate that the impact energy is lower in as-cast wheel than in T6 heat-treated wheels. A finer microstructure always corresponds to higher impact strength, while a direct correlation between the resistance to crack propagation values and secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) exists. Casting defects, revealed by means of X-ray and density measurements techniques, become critical when concentrated around the V-notch, where they reduce the load bearing area of Charpy specimens. The fracture profile and surface of Charpy specimens have been investigated revealing how the crack crosses the interdendritic eutectic region where a significant fraction of cracked eutectic silicon and intermetallic particles is found. Numerical simulations have been performed to study the filling and solidification behaviour of the alloy of the wheels analysed, in order to predict the final microstructure and shrinkage formation. Solidification times, estimated by means of SDAS measurements and calculated with a numerical simulation approach, show a good correspondence. Critical areas, as concern hot spots and shrinkage porosities, are generally revealed in the zone of the wheels between the spoke and the rim, as well as in the rim area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]