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Castings Nr. 17
Predicting the behaviour of the metal Simulating ductile iron castings using
during solidification is not trivial as one ProCAST can help to understand the
needs to consider the different modes of solidification behaviour and determine
shrinkage as well as trace the evolution of the effect of graphite expansion on
the liquid metal free surface. One has to porosity.
distinguish between how much volume
change is used for macro shrinkage and Optimal gating design can then be
how much is used for micro shrinkage. determined to help take advantage of
this expansion effect in ductile iron
The amount of shrinkage will depend on castings.
the following:
Example
Figure 4: Cross-section contour plot of porosity Figure 5: Cross-section contour plot of porosity
where red indicates macro porosity. Ductile where red indicates macro porosity and yellow
cast iron simulation when considering the indicates 100% vacant region. Ductile cast iron
graphite expansion. Results performed using simulation when not considering the graphite
ProCAST expansion. Results performed using ProCAST.
Calcom SA
Parc Scientifique EPFL, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
phone: +41 21 693 2918 / fax: +41 21 693 4740
mail@calcom.ch / www.calcom.ch