Thermal isolation for casting articles

A method for casting an article, comprising:

• providing a first thermal blanket, the first thermal blanket comprising a layer of thermally insulating material and having a first surface and a second surface;
• positioning at least a portion of the first thermal blanket within a mold cavity;
• introducing a first molten material into the mold cavity and into contact with the first surface of the first thermal blanket;
• providing a second thermal blanket, the second thermal blanket comprising a layer of thermally insulating material and having a first surface and a second surface;
• positioning at least a portion of the second thermal blanket within the mold cavity;
• positioning at least the portion of the second thermal blanket adjacent the first molten material and
• introducing a second molten material into the mold cavity and into contact with the first surface of the second thermal blanket, wherein
• the first and the second molten materials within the mold cavity remain in a molten state during a dwell time extending from the introducing of the first and the second molten materials into the mold cavity at least until the first and the second molten materials fill the mold cavity.

A method for casting an article, comprising:

• providing a thermal blanket apart from a mold cavity, the thermal blanket comprising a layer of thermally insulating material and having a first surface and a second surface;
• after providing the thermal blanket apart from the mold cavity, then positioning at least a portion of the thermal blanket within the mold cavity;
• introducing a molten material into the mold cavity and into contact with the first surface of the thermal blanket;
• and
• applying pressure to the molten material until the molten material solidifies to form at least a portion of a cast article, wherein
• the molten material within the mold cavity remains in a molten state during a dwell time extending from the introducing of the molten material into the mold cavity to the applying of pressure to the molten material.

A method for casting an article, comprising:

• providing a first thermal blanket, the first thermal blanket comprising a layer of thermally insulating material and having a first surface and a second surface;
• positioning at least a portion of the first thermal blanket within a mold cavity;
• introducing a first molten material into the mold cavity and into contact with the first surface of the first thermal blanket;
• providing a second thermal blanket, the second thermal blanket comprising a layer of thermally insulating material and having a first surface and a second surface;
• positioning at least a portion of the second thermal blanket within the mold cavity;
• positioning at least the portion of the second thermal blanket adjacent the first molten material;
• introducing a second molten material into the mold cavity and into contact with the first surface of the second thermal blanket;
• applying pressure to the first molten material and the second molten material until the first and the second molten materials solidify to form at least a portion of a cast article, wherein
• the first and the second molten materials within the mold cavity remain in a molten state during a
• dwell time extending from the introducing of the first and the second molten materials into the mold cavity to the applying of pressure to the first and the second molten materials.