Casting aluminum alloys with a mold header comprising delaminated vermiculite

Abstract

A process for continuous direct chill casting of aluminum alloys, particularly aluminum-lithium alloys. The molten alloy is cast in a mold containing a header comprising delaminated vermiculite or spodumene or lithium aluminate. The header preferably comprises delaminated vermiculite blended with wollastonite, lime, silica, and wood fiber. The mixture is slurried with water, molded into shape, compressed to expel water, steam cured, and dried. The header forms ingots of good quality and has excellent resistance to attack by molten aluminum-lithium alloys.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.