Mold assembly and method for pressure casting elevated melting temperature materials
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorGerald A. Gegel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An impermeable ceramic mold is disposed within a steel die and used in a process for pressure casting of elevated melting temperature alloys and pressure infiltration casting of elevated melting temperature alloys having wear resistant particles, included therewith. The ceramic mold provides an insulation layer between the molten metal and the steel die, and prevents welding between the molten metal and the die. The alloy steel die encloses the ceramic mold and provides the strength needed to resist the pressures generated during pressure infiltration casting.
Claims13
A method of forming porosity-free, near net shape articles containing elevated melting temperature alloys, comprising:
- providing a liquid metal impermeable ceramic mold having a wall thickness defined by internal and external surfaces spaced from each other by a distance of from about 2 mm to about 6 mm and an opening disposed in an upper portion adapted to tightly receive a punch member therethrough;
- heating said ceramic mold;
- providing an alloy steel die having an internal cavity adapted to receive said ceramic mold therein;
- heating the alloy steel die;
- inserting the heated ceramic mold into the internal cavity of the alloy steel die;
- pouring a molten elevated melting temperature metal into the ceramic mold;
- lowering the punch member through the opening in the upper portion of the ceramic mold, bringing said punch member into intimate contact with the molten metal poured into the ceramic mold;
- continue lowering the punch member to create pressure on said molten metal sufficient to form an essentially porosity-free article having a net shape defined by the internal surface of the ceramic mold;
- cooling the alloy steel die, the ceramic mold, and the metal cast in the mold, thereby forming a solidified cast article in the mold;
- and,
- removing the solidified cast article from the mold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.