Experimental Determination of The Effect of Mould Thickness On The Solidification Time of Aluminium Alloy (Al-Mn-Ni -Si) Casting in Rectangular Metallic Moulds

Abstract

One of the very important parameters to assess the properties of materials produced by casting process is the solidification time. This paper presents the influence of mould thickness and temperatures on the solidification time of aluminium (Al-3.42%Mn; 2.38%Ni; 0.26%Si) alloy in rectangular metallic moulds. Experiments were conducted to measure the temperature fields in a solidifying casting against time. From the temperature fields solidification times were obtained for various moulds thicknesses as well as the mould temperatures. The results showed that mould thickness has significant influence on the solidification time. Smaller mould thickness produced shorter solidification time within the experimental specification. As the mould temperatures are increased the solidification time is prolonged and this influence grain development during the solidification process subsequently affecting the mechanical properties of the castings produced.