US3314116A

US3314116A - Gasifiable casting pattern

Info

Publication number: US3314116A
Application number: US298676A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wittmoser Adalbert; Schade Johannes; Krzyzanowski Erich
Original assignee: Full Mold Process Inc
Current assignee: Full Mold Process Inc
Priority date: 1962-04-02
Filing date: 1963-07-30
Publication date: 1967-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 1984-04-18
Also published as: BE627229A; CH427156A; GB945208A

Description

April 18, 1967 A. WITTMOSER ETAL 3,314,116

GASIFIABLE CASTING PATTERN Filed July 30. 1963 5 Sheetsheet l INVENTORS.

Adolbert Wiflmoser Johannes Schode Erich Krzyzonowski by Ronutd E.Burry Attorney April 13, 1 A. WITTMOSER ETAL 3,314,116

GAS IFIABLE CASTING PATTERN Filed July 30. 1963 i 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fl G .5 I

73G 73d 73 730 (3b FIG.7

' INVENTORS Adolberf Wmmoser Johannes Schode Erich Krzyzqflowski by Ronald E. Barry Attorney April 18, 1957 A. WITTMOSER ETAL 3,

I GASIFIABLE CASTING PATTERN Filed July so, 1963 s Sheetsheet 5 FIG.8

INVENTORS Adulbert Wiflmoser Johannes Schode I Erich Krzyzonowski by Ronald E. Barry Attorney United States Patent This application is a continuationin-part of our copending application Ser. No. 270,085, filed Apr. 2, 1963, and entitled, Casting Arrangement and Method.

The present invention relates to a casting arrangement,

and more particularly, the present invention is concerned with improvements relating to gasifiable patterns.

According to conventional casting procedures a pattern having the shape of the casting to be made and consisting of wood-metal, wax, synthetic resin, etc., is embedded in an appropriate molding material or molding sand respectively, inthe mold. After packing the molding material to form a mold body, the pattern is removed and the melt is poured into the cavity which remains in the molding material. For this procedure lost patterns can be applied that means patterns which are destroyed after embedding, for example when employing a wax pattern which is melted out.

A considerably simplified casting procedure is suggested in U.S. Patent No. 2,830,343. According to this method the pattern is made of expanded plastic such as polystyrene or a similar material, remains after embedding in the mold, and is gasified and decomposed practically without residue by the penetrating melt. A dry, noncaking molding material may be used according to this method to which, however, a cold setting binder is added for reasons of expediency.

However, tests have shown, that the quality of castings produced according to this molding procedure frequently do not come up to the expectations, as undesirable reactions may, and frequently do, occur between the molten casting charge and products formed in the gasification of the plastic pattern material and/or reactions of the melt or molten charge with the molding material. These difficulties are particularly serious in case a dry, noncaking molding material is used, as the resistance of such molding material to the eroding effect of the penetrating melt is not sufficient. By incorporating a binder in the loose molding material its resistance can be increased, but at the same time the permeability of the molding material to the gases formed of the cellular plastic pattern is considerably decreased and furthermore other disadvantages of such binding agents such as high price and unpleasant odor will be encountered.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above discussed disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to improve the usefulness of gasifiable casting patterns.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide improved gasifiable casting patterns which can be produced and used in a simple and economical manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide casting arrangements including improved feeder head patterns.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecorne apparent from a further reading of the description of the appended claims.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention contemplates in a casting arrangement, in combination, a molding material having embedded therein a body consisting essentially of a gasifiable member having substantially the configuration of an article to be cast and adapted to be gasified at an elevated temperature corresponding to the temperature of "a molten casting charge adapted to be cast to form the article, and a layer consisting of a solid material which remains solid at the elevated temperature, contacting and substantially completely covering the outer surface of the gasifiable member.

According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention contemplates for use in a casting arrangement, a casting pattern, comprising, in combination, a gasifiable body having substantially the configuration of an article to be cast and being adapted to be gasified at an elevated temperature corresponding to the temperature of a molten casting charge adapted to be cast to form the article the gasifiable body having distributed therethrough a substance adapted to act on the molten casting charge, and a layer consisting of a solid material which remains solid and is gas permeable at the elevated temperature, contacting and substantially completely covering the outer surface of the gasifiable body and having incorporated therein a substance adapted upon contact with the casting charge to affect the surface properties of the cast article.

The present invention also includes a method of casting, comprising the steps of embedding in a mold body a form which is gasifiable substantially without residue on subjection to a molten casting charge and which is shaped for exact reproduction as a casting and the surface of which is covered with a layer consisting of a solid material which remains solid and is gas permeable at the temperature of the molten casting charge, providing in the mold body and in the layer a passage for a molten casting charge to the embedded form, and pouring into the passage a molten casting charge for gasifying and replacing the embedded form in the mold body.

The present invention is also concerned with patterns which consist essentially of combustible or gasifiable substances such as expanded plastics and the like, which patterns are particularly suitable as feeder heads of the type which are frequently incorporated in casting arrangements in order to prevent formation of shrinkage cavities during casting of the molten metal. The feeder head patterns according to the present invention have been found to give very good results in connection with the process of casting which is described in US. Patent No. 2,830,343.

Thus, the present invention also contemplates in a casting arrangement, in combination, a casting pattern consisting'essentially of a gasifiable member having substantially the configuration of an article to be cast and consisting essentially of a material adapted to be gasified at an elevated temperature corresponding to the temperature of a molten casting charge adapted to be cast to form the article, a feeder head pattern of substantially spherical configuration and consisting essentially of a material adapted to be gasified at the elevated temperature operatively connected to the casting pattern, and a body of molding material enveloping and having embedded therein the casting pattern and the substantially spherical gasifiable feeder head.

Thus, the present invention utilizes a gasifiable casting pattern of expanding plastic, for instance of polystyrene or polyethylene and is concerned with an improvement of the casting method which is disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,830,343, according to which the gasifiable casting pattern is embedded in a molding material, for instance, a molding sand or other loose, non-shaping material to which a cold setting binder may be added, and whereby the pattern is gasified and decomposed by the heat of the penetrating melt or molten casting charge.

According to the present invention, the outer surface of the pattern is provided with a shell-like, substantially incombustible coat or layer which will not be affected by the temperature of the penetrating melt and which preferably will be highly permeable to gas or becoming permeable to gas during the pouring process. It is also within the scope of the present invention to incorporate in the cellular plastic casting pattern solid or gaseous materials which will act on, or react with, the molten casting charge, for instance in the case of a molten metal casting charge, a material which will cause a metallurgical treatment of the casting metal.

The present invention thus overcomes the difficulties experienced up to now in connection with gasifiable casting patterns and will result in the production of cast bodies or castings of the desired surface structure, even when embedded in a loose molding material such as dry quartz sand which need not contain any binder. Even metal shot or similar materials may be used as the molding material. Furthermore, according to the present invention, not only an improvement of the surface of the casting is achieved but also of its inner structure which may be influenced by the incorporation of suitable materials in the gasifiable cellular plastic casting pattern.

The shell-like, substantially incombustible coat or layer on the outer face of the cellular plastic pattern will also advantageously act as a barrier preventing the escape of alloying and similar materials which may have been incorporated in the cellular gasifiable plastic casting pattern. In other words, when upon contact with the molten casting charge the expanded or foam cellular plastic pattern is burned out or decomposed and in any event gasified and the thus formed gases pass outwardly through the porous incombustible layer surrounding the cellular plastic pattern and separating the same from the molding material, the surrounding in'combustible layer may be such as to prevent passage therethrough of alloying or other materials which had been distributed throughout the gasifiable plastic pattern. The porous layer thus may be traversed by the gases formed, for instance, by pyrolysis of the cellular plastic but will retain and prevent passage therethrough of the particles of the alloying or the like material in the mold, which particles of alloying or the like material will thus be incorporated in, or react with, the casting charge.

The novel features which are considered as character istic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gasifiable casting pattern according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along lines II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view partially in cross section of a casting pattern for a radiator, according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along lines -IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational cross sectional view of a casting mold incorporating the casting pattern of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 6-10 will serve primarily to illustrate embodiments of the present invention which encompass a gasifiable feeder head;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view in cross section of a molding box with embedded feeder head and casting pattern;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an elevational, cross sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, elevational, cross sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, elevational, cross sectional view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

The casting pattern 1 which is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 may serve as an example for producing a casting in accordance with the present invention without requiring a core, while at the same time providing the casting with hardened surface portions in the area of the wheel body. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the casting will be produced in accordance with the present invention so as to be substantially free of cavities and pipings.

Tthe upwardly extending portions 2, as shown in FIG. 1, serve for reliable attachment of the risers and feeding conduits shown in FIG. 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the gasifiable foamed plastic pattern 1 carries a porous layer or coat 3 which covers the entire outer surface of plastic pattern 1. Incorporated and substantially evenly distributed throughout foam cellular plastic pattern 1 may be alloying materials or other materials which will act on the molten casting charge when the same is introduced into the mold so as to gasify and replace the plastic pattern. Interposed between the layer 3 of solid material, which remains solid at the temperature of the molten casting charge and which preferably will be gas permeable at such temperature, and the gasifia'ble member 1 may be a layer 4 of a material adapted to act on and to influence the surface portion of the casting during formation of the same, for instance to increase the hardness of the surface portion.

:FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate one of the relatively rare cases when by proceeding in accordance with the present invention it is nevertheless desirable to use a core.

As illustrated, the outermost layer 31 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, consists of a solid material which will remain solid at casting temperatures and layer 31 contacts the outer surface of the gasifiable cellular plastic pattern 32. The core consists of a cellular plastic body 33 and a layer 34 interposed between cellular plastic core 33 and cellular plastic pattern 32. Layer 34 consists of a material of low heat conductivity so that upon introduction of the molten casting charge and replacement of gasifiable plastic pattern 32 by the casting charge, heat penetration toward the gasifiable cellular plastic core portions 33 will be considerably retarded, namely for a sutficient length of time so that gasification of plastic core bodies 33 will take place only after the portion of the casting charge adjacent to layer 34'l1as been solidified and has become shape-retaining and self-supporting. Such cores containing a gasifiable body are particularly suitable for castings which include relatively thin walls and which are formed with one or more inner cavities access to which is relatively difiicult.

FIG. 5 illustrates the casting pattern of FIGS. 1 and 2 incorporated in a molding arrangement which includes a shell 51, mold body 52, open feeder funnel 53 and feeder 54 with riser 55. Feeding funnel 53, feeder 54 and riser 55 consist, initially similarly to pattern 1, of gasifiable cellular plastic material and feeding funnel 53 and feeder 54 are surrounded by a layer of heat insulating material 56. The foamed cellular gasifiable plastic pattern again may have incorporated therein suitable alloying or treating materials for acting on or reacting with the casting charge. Heat insulating layers 56 may consist of the porous gas permeable solid material which remains solid at casting temperatures as described further above. The spherical blind riser 57 which is also surrounded by heat insulating layer 56 is formed with a small cutout at its upper portion which will serve for maintaining the elevated temperature of the melt for somewhat longer period of time. The constriction underneath spherical riser 57 will facilitate breaking off the material which has solidified in riser 57.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that many variations of these auxiliary devices are possible and are within the scope of the present invention. Feeder and riser arrangements which are surrounded by heating means, usually providing heat by an alumin'o-thermic or the like process, or by insulating materials have been known for a long time. However, up to now these elements had to consist of pressure resistant, hard, ceramic hollow bodies which had a relatively limited heating or insulating effect and were quite expensively, while, according to the present invention, these members will consist of a form of gasifiable cellular plastic material which is covered with a layer of suitable insulating material or the like.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, by preforming feeders, risers and the like of gasifiable cellular plastic materials, which may be joined to the casting pattern of the same type of materials, it is possible to utilize layers of insulating materials which are highly insulating and relatively inexpensive although affording less pressure resistance, such as layers of mineral wool, and the like.

The materials which may be used for forming the solid gas permeable layer 3 and which also may be used [for forming the heat insulating layer 56, are conventional materials which are, per se, known in the art. Heat resistant materials which are porous or which will become highly permeable to gas when exposed to the temperature of the molten casting charge are highly suitable for the first purpose. These materials include diatomaceous earth or kieselguhr, asbestos, synthetic mineral fibers such as mineral wool, fire clay, clay, pumice, bentonite, perlite, vermiculite and the like, to which quartz sand or a similar material may be added if desired. As binding agents for these mineral materials may be used thermosetting or preferably cold setting substances such as plaster of Paris, cement, starch or synthetic resins, the latter being preferred. In a most simple manner, the layer is formed by preparing a suspension of the mineral material and binding agent in water, to which suspension a suitable wetting agent and/or film forming agent may be added and which is then applied to the cellular plastic pattern, for instance, by hand, spray gun, immersion or other methods. The coating or layer will require only a short period of air drying, but it need not be subjected to a special drying process and may be allowed to stand in wet condition. The thickness of the coating preferably will not exceed 6 mm. and more preferably will be between 2 and 5 mm. The outside of the layer or coating may remain in rough and uneven condition. It is a further advantage of the above-described coating that it is possible to incorporate therein without diificulty materials which, when coming in contact with the casting charge, will affect the surface properties of the casting. Moreover, it is possible to form a layer of a material which will favorably affect the properties of the casting between the cellular pattern and the heat-resistant coating. Such layer, for instance, may be applied to the surface of the cellular plastic pattern prior to forming the heat resistant layer thereon.

In the production of castings which are required to have particularly hard, wear-resistant surface portions, such as rollers and cam shaifts, such treating layer or coating may consist of graphite, tellurium or ferrosilicon, in other cases, particularly when producing light metal castings, a treating layer of silicon or sulfur frequently will be found advantageous for improvement of the surface quality of the casting.

The specific material of which the heat resistant gas permeable layer is to be formed will depend on the type of casting which is to be produced, such as whether an aluminum casting is to be produced at about 700 C. or a steel casting at about 1,500 C.

'For instance, in case of a casting to be formed of a metal having a high melting point, the heat resistant porous layer may be formed of a mixture of about 85% by weight of unblown perlite, about 5% of water glass (aqueous solution containing 30% by weight of sodium silicate) as binder and about 10% by weight of ground graphite.

Water which may contain a wetting agent and a filmforming agent is added in an amount sufficient to form a stiif paste which may be easily applied to the cellular casting pattern by hand and which dries quickly and adheres well to the surface of the cellular plastic pattern. When it is desired to apply the layer 'by dipping or spraying, then a greater quantity of water is added so as to achieve the desired consistency which is best suitable for the respective manner of applying the paste.

The perlite in the above-described mixture may be replaced by similar proportions of mineral wool, kieselguhr, ground pumice and the like.

The water glass binder may be replaced by a starch solution or a suitable solution or dispersion of synthetic resin.

The graphite may be suitably replaced by ferro-silicon or silicon.

The materials which may be incorporated in the heat resistant layer or which may be interposed between the heat resistant layer and the surface of the cellular plastic pattern, may either be mixed into the mass of which the heat resistant layer is formed, or may be applied as an intermediate coating, for instance dispersed in alcohol or water containing a wetting agent and/or film forming agent.

As has been described above, it is possible according to the present invention to introduce into the casting charge while the same is filling the space originally occupied by the cellular plastic pattern, at least one additional material which will serve to influence metallurgically the material of the cast workpiece. This is done by employing the cellular plastic material as the carrier for introducing such material.

The material which is intended to have a metallurgic effect on the melt or casting charge, or to alloy with the same, may be distributed as evenly as possible in the plastic material prior to blowing of the same, so that as a result of the expansion of the plastic material, an even distribution of the added materials will be accomplished in the cellular gasifiable plastic pattern.

The gasifiable expanded plastic material which contains the evenly distributed additional material may also be used to form the pouring system of the mold. Thus, for example, to influence the graphite formation in castiron alloys, materials such as ferrosilicon or nodular graphite-forming elements such as magnesium and corium may be added. Powdery substances may also be added to the expanded plastic for either preventing or promoting the solidification of cast-iron alloys in the form of white cast iron, for example magnesium and silicon (preventives) or sulfur and tellurium (promoters).

Furthermore, alloying constituents, such as vanadium, molybdenum and the like may be introduced into the melt in accordance with the present invention.

Such alloying materials, or other materials which serve to influence the quality of the casting formed of the molten casting charge, are usually added. in such quantities that, with reference to the weight of the casting, the alloying metals are present in an amount of up to 1%, silicon in an amount of up to 0.8% and magnesium in an amount of up to 0. 1%. In order to incorporate such proportions of added material in the casting, when employing the gasifiable expanded plastic pattern as carrier, the expanded plastic may contain up to 500% of its weight of alloying metal or silicon, or up to about 50% of its weight of magnesium, based on the weight of the expanded plastic.

In order to achieve a uniform distribution of such added alloying or other material in the expanded plastic, the additional material may be incorporated in the preexpanded granulate or in the monomers 01f the plastic. In the latter case, the added material may be distributed homogeneously, prior to the polymerization, in one or more of the monomers prior to their admixture, or in the monomer mixture. The added material should be introduced in finely sub-divided form. This last procedure is particularly advantageous because it will result in a very even distribution of the added material, for instance an alloying constituent, in the expanded plastic.

If, in customary manner, the expansion of the plastic polymer will be carried out with the help of a suitable expanding agent under the influence of the super-heated steam, then certain difiiculties are encountered when the added material, for example magnesium in powder form, is attacked by water. If, on the other hand, the added material is introduced into the monomeric resin, then the material which is sensitive to steam will be distributed very homogeneously in plastic expanded with the use of steam and apparently remains protected against attack by Water due to the plastic material surrounding each of the particles of magnesium or the like.

Rerferring now to the heat barrier or layer of low thermal conductivity, such as layer 34 of FIGS. 3 and 4, very good results are obtained in the case of aluminum castings with layers formed of one part by weight of a polyvinylpropionate resin dispersion containing about 50% by weight of resin and 50% by Weight of water, two parts by weight of lithopone, two parts by weight of white cement and three parts by weight of water with the addition of a small amount of a wetting agent.

The thickness of the thus formed dry layer of low thermal conductivity preferably will be about 23 mm. and its weight about 300 grams per square meter. However, these quantitative data should not be considered as limiting the invention since innumerable variations may be made for specific purposes. For instance, a metal powder or metal flakes and the like may be incorporated in the layer, depending on the casting temperature. The heat insulating layer 56 which primarily covers the cellular plastic material which is located in place of the riser and feeder conduits, preferably will consist of a material of the type which is suitable for forming

layers

3 or 31, and very good results are achieved with respect to forming such porous layer by using therefor mineral wool and a smoothening and binding agent such as bentonite. However, layers 56 preferably will be considerably thicker than layers such as

layers

3 and 31.

The casting method of the present invention is not limited to any specific casting charge or material. It is possible to cast according to the present invention substantially all casting metals such as bronze, light metals, iron, steel, heavy metals, as well as glass and silicate melts (quartz), molten A1 SiC and the like. It is of course required that the melt will be sufficiently fluid within a temperature range which will be sufficiently above the decomposition or gasification temperature of the foam plastic pattern, and the last condition generally is met by a temperature of about 400 C. Furthermore, it is of course desirable that there should be as little reaction as possible between the molten charge and the porous heat resistant layer or the layer of low heat conductivity which covers the plastic pattern.

The plastic pattern according to the present invention, with the porous layer thereon, is also suitable for forming castings in a mold body consisting of loose sand without binder, for instance of free flowing quartz sand.

The incorporation of reactants such as alloying elements in the cellular plastic pattern has the great advantage that, for instance, starting with a casting charge of regular pig iron, a cast body of alloyed metal can be produced. The loss of the usually valuable reactants or alloying materials is insignificant and can be further reduced by using the porous heat resistant layer interposed between the cellular plastic pattern and the mold body. When it is desired to influence the hardness or other qualities of only the surface portion of the casting, then such reactants are preferably applied as a thin layer or incorand similar materials which are known by the trade name Freon. Thereby it will be achieved on the one hand that combustion of the cellular plastic is prevented and consequently the amount of gas which has to be removed upon gasification of the plastic is reduced and, on the other hand, it is possible in this manner to carry out the pouring of the casting charge in a protective gas atmos phere. It is also possible, according to the present invention, to incorporate gaseous halogens such as chlorine in the expanded plastic, i.e., in the cells thereof which halogens, particularly chlorine, will react advantageously with certain light metal melts, such as a casting charge of aluminum. Particularly the type of heat resistant layers or coatings which become porous only when subjected to heat, will permit the storing of the cellular plastic patterns covered with such heat resistant layer for a considerable length of time, without loss of the gas incorporated in the plastic pattern.

In general, cores are not required in connection with patterns made of gasifiable expanded plastic material. If, however, in exceptional cases such cores are required due to poor accessibility of interior recesses of the plastic pattern, then the cores may be incorporated when foaming the expanded plastic patterns or they may be inserted thereafter. For this purpose it is possible to use not only cores made of conventional material, i.e., bonded sand and the like, but also cores which consist of gasifiable expanded plastic, provided that the gasifiable expanded plastic core is surrounded by a solid layer of low thermal conductivity, a so-called heat barrier layer, which will retard the transmission of heat from the melt to the expanded plastic core until after the melt layer adjacent the core, i.e., outwardly and adjacent of the solid layer of low heat conductivity, has solidified. Due to the high temperature of the casting charge, the core will then be gasified and a recess will remain in the casting, the latter being covered adjacent to such recess by the barrier layer which can be easily blown off or otherwise removed.

Such barrier layer may consist of gypsum, clay, magnesium, calcium oxide or similar materials with hydraulic or organic binders such as polyvinyl acetate resin, starch and the like, or including metal powders or metal flakes, and the heat barrier layer may be applied to the expanding plastic core in the same manner as the heat resistant porous coating is applied to the expanded plastic pattern. Usually, a thickness of the barrier layer of a few millimeters will be sutficient for retarding heat transmission therethrough to such an extent that the core will be gasified only after the portion of the charge adjacent to the barrier layer has solidified.

It is possible to make not only the casting pattern of gasifiable expanded plastic, but also the pattern for ingate, ventilation and connecting conduits and/or feeder heads (so-called blind risers), and to adhesively adhere the expanded plastic pattern to the expanded plastic material of such conduits or feeders, either during the foaming process or thereafter. The term feeder is to be understood to denote additional storage space for the melt in the mold, i.e., additional space which can be filled with molten charge. Such an additional space is frequently desirable in order to prevent hole or piping formation in metals which have a great tendency to shrink.

Hitherto parts of the molding system being particularly susceptible to shrink hole formation were provided with heating means or heat insulating means by introducing suitable materials into the mold cavity after having removed a conventional pattern. Thermite mixtures were used as heating means and hard burne-d ceramical materials which were brittle, rather expensive and of relatively limited effect served as insulating material. The coating provided according to the invention represents a considerable progress in this respect, as it can be applied without difiiculty near or at all critical points of the pattern in any desired thickness in order to secure the insulating effect required in every particular case. The thickness of the coating may amount to 20 mm. or more. If required, the insulating effect can be increased by conventional heating means. The insulating portions of the coating may consist substantially of the above mentioned mineral fiber materials, i.e., asbestos or synthetic mineral fibers. Coatings of this kind have by far better insulating effects than the hollow ceramic bodies conventionally used for this purpose. In spite of the relatively loose structure of such fibrous materials no difficulties arise when embedding the pattern, as all forces or stresses occurring thereby are absorbed by the expanded plastic pattern. The gasifiable patterns are not only suited for molding metals but also for molding other melts, as for example glass and silicate melts and the like provided that their casting temperature is sufficiently higher than the decomposition temperature of the expanded plastic material. 1

As an example only without, however, limiting the invention the solid content of the intermediate coatings 4 only comprise in percent of weight: 75-95 pulverized silica, 5-8 ground graphite, 1-5 water glass, up to 3 bentonite, and A1 0,, at the balance.

Referring new again to the drawing, and particularly to the features and embodiments of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 6-10, it will be understood that, according to the present invention, spherical feeder patterns are provided which consist of gasifiable material of the type described further above, for instance of a cellular plastic material which will be gasified at the temperature of the molten casting metal. It is essential, according to the present invention, that the feeder heads are of substantially spherical configuration and consist essentially of such gasifiable material. Thereby, the difiiculties and disadvantages are overcome which were encountered when it was attempted to provide spherical feeder heads by incorporating a hollow sphere in the molding material. Such hollow spheres are more difficult to produce and must be treated with great care and thereby the advantages of spherical feeder heads as compared with feeder heads of other configurations are somewhat counterbalanced. Feeder heads of spherical configuration are more suitable than feeder heads of other shapes because of the more favorable relationship between volume and surface of the feeder head.

The disadvantages connected with the prior art feeder heads are eliminated according to the present invention by providing a feeder head pattern which consists essentially of a gasifiable material, for instance of expanded plastics, and has a substantially spherical shape. Such spherical feeder head pattern can be suitably arranged, for instance, in the down gate or runner itself and also directly adjacent to the casting pattern. Thereby it is possible to impart to the feeder head pattern in a simple and technically easily attainable manner the most favorable shape with respect to heat flow and with regard to the ratio between volume and surface of the feeder head.

In order to achieve a further reduction of heat losses, the spherical gasifiable feeder head pattern may be covered with an essentially incombustible heat-insulating layer. This layer should be such as to resist erosion and should consist of a material which is either porous or which will become gas-permeable when exposed to the heat of the molten casting metal. Preferably, the heat insulating layer will consist of mineral fibers which are mixed with a hardenable binding agent, substantially as described further above with respect to the gasifiable bodies forming the casting pattern of the present invention. The thickness of the heat insulating layer surrounding the gasifiable feeder head pattern preferably will be less than 3 mm. It is also possible and within the scope of the present invention to cover the gasifiable feeder head patterns with a layer of an exothermic substance, in which case the layer may he of considerably greater thickness than 3 mm. Such exothermic heating arrangements, i.e., feeder and riser arrangements which are surrounded by heating means which provide heat, for instance by an alumino-thermic or the like process, are, per se, known to those skilled in the art, however, it is now proposed to utilize such alumino-thermic or the like heating processes or exothermic layers in combination with gasifiable casting patterns and spherical and gasifiable feeder heads.

It is also proposed according to the present invention to incorporate alloying and/or other metallurgically effective substances either uniformly or non-uniformly in the feeder head pattern. For instance, by arranging the runner or downgate centrally relative to the feeder head, the substances intended for incorporation in the casting may be embedded in the feeder head pattern spaced from the 'center portion thereof or even in the: outer non-gasifiable layer which surrounds the feeder head. This is desirable because alloying substances or the like, if located in the center portion of the feeder head would be swept away instantaneously by and with the penetrating melt.

In such cases where the runner is placed sideways, in

other words extends in a more or less horizontal direction towards the feeder head and at its other end connects with a downgate, the process is more or less similar, provided however, that the alloy and/ or exothermic substances are, for instance, foamed into the top or outer layer of the feeder head pattern or, if they are embedded, are located in appropriately arranged cavities of the feeder head pattern, namely so that the alloying or other treating substances will not be instantaneously swept into the casting pattern by the first portion of molten metal entering the feeder head. It is possible by this method to achieve a controlled mixing of the molten casting metal with the alloying constituents. It may be mentioned here that the positioning and the amount of alloying or other substances which are to be incorporated in the feeder head pattern will of course vary depending on the size and shape of the casting which is to be produced.

Preferably, the feeder head will be formed with a passage therethrough which substantially will be a continuation of the passage formed by the runner through which molten metal is introduced to the feeder head. Provision of such a passage is imp-ortant'in many cases in which it is desirable that as little as possible of the carbon formed upon gasification of the feeder head will enter into the casting pattern or mold cavity in which the cast body is to be formed. By arranging the passage through the feeder head as described above, the: gasified plastic material of the feeder head or at least the major portion thereof will penetrate outwardly through the gas permeable layer surrounding the feeder head and thus will not be introduced into the mold cavity in which the cast body is to be formed.

It is also possible to utilize the feeder head pattern of the present invention in combination with conventional casting arrangements and procedures using solid patterns for forming the casting cavity in the mold. Preferably, in such cases, at least the patterns for the runner or downgate will be gasifiable.

According to a further feature of the invention, when using lateral runners extending more or less horizontally toward the casting pattern, the feeder head may be arranged at the point where the vertical downgate bends to form the lateral runner. In this manner, a more favorable space utilization within the mold arrangement is achieved. It is also possible and frequently advantageous to form the gasifiable feeder head and runner patterns integral with each other from one piece of expanded plastic material whereby, preferably, the runner should be shaped, in accordance with aerodynamic prin ciples, so as to prevent the aspiration of air by the stream of molten metal flowing towards the feeder head. It is also possible to provide in the spherical gasifiable feeder head pattern of the present invention, in a manner known per se, a gas-permeable core which, preferably, will be arranged in the uppermost portion of the feeder head pattern or extend downwardly from the uppermost por tion of the same.

Furthermore, it is possible to arrange in the inlet and/or outlet passages, or the patterns for such passages, i.e., either upstream or downstream of the spherical feeder head, a conventional strainer core. If the feeder head pattern is arranged within the downgate pattern, then such strainer core may be placed either upwardly or downwardly of the feeder head pattern.

The combination of runners and spherical feeder heads is particularly suitable for the casting of ingots, because it is possible in this case to save material by surrounding the gasifiable feeder head pattern with exothermic material.

Referring now to FIG. 6 of the drawing, molding box 71 is shown with mold 72 therein corresponding to the shape of the object to be cast. Feeder head pattern 73 is connected with runner 74, as well as with casting pattern 72 and therethrough connects with riser 75. Feeder head pattern 73, as Well as runner 74, casting pattern 72 and riser 75, are formed of gasifiable material, i.e., material Which will be gasified at the temperature of the molten metal poured into to the mold for forming the casting.

In accordance with the present invention, feeder head pattern 73 is of substantially spherical shape and may be arranged in downgate 74 directly adjacent to casting pattern 72. The

patterns

72, 74 and 75 need not necessarily consist of gasifiable material, but may also be formed of conventional material such as wood, in which case the

patterns

72, 74 and 75 must be removed before casting. However, it is essential according to the presently described embodiment of the invention that feeder head pattern 3 consists of gasifiable material.

Feeder head pattern 73 may be covered by a heat-insulating layer 73a and/or by an exothermic substance. A core 73b, permeable to gas, may extend into the interior of the feeder head pattern 73, in a manner known per se. The connecting pattern 73c between feeder head 73 and casting pattern 72 is formed, preferably as illustrated in FIG. 7, namely by arranging the spherical feeder head 73 closely adjacent to casting pattern 72. Furthermore, as illustrated, feeder head pattern 73 is located in the bend 73d formed at the lower end of downgate 74 and, in this manner, the supply conduit for the molten metal becomes shorted and a better space economy is obtained.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a concentric runner 74 is provided and the feeder head pattern may consist of one or more portions '73 and 73" which may be provided with relatively large concentric, eccentric or, as shown, decentric grooves 73e into which, for instance, alloying or other metallurgically effective substances may be introduced. The lower part of the feeder head pattern may be provided with annular recesses 73a as shown in the drawing, which may receive and hold at least one aligned protrusion 73] of the upper portion 73 of the feeder head pattern. It is possible to incorporate alloying materials uniformly or non-uniformly into and throughout the body of the feeder head pattern, or to distribute these materials only about the surface of the feeder head pattern. Preferably, the feeder head pattern has a hollow core or at least one passage 73g extending throughout the feeder head in the direction of flow of the molten metal. It is sometimes also preferred to utilize feeder head patterns according to the present invention to form spherical blind riser patterns 75' which simultaneously serve as feeder heads.

According to FIG. 9, the combined runner feeder head pattern 73 includes strainer core 76 which in the illustrated embodiment is located upstream of feeder head pattern 73. However, as discussed further above, strainer core 76 or the like may also be arranged downstream of feeder head pattern 73.

The fragmentary view of FIG. 10 will serve to illustrate the advantageous arrangement of a spherical gasifiable feeder head according to the present invention in connection with an ingot casting arrangement. Great economy is achieved in such case if the feeder or feeder heads 73 are at least partly surrounded with heat insulating or exothermic materials. As shown in FIG. 10, feeder head 73 or at least the portion thereof closest to the mold cavity 78 should be surrounded by insulating materials to retard cooling of the molten metal passing through these portions of the feeder head. As illustrated, feeder head pattern 73 may be embedded in a separate mold head block 77, or in the upper portion of the proper ingot boxes. The ingot is poured through feeder head 73 into the cavity 78 which is surrounded by molding material 79.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of molding arrangements differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an ingot mold arrangement, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalance of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a casting arrangement, in combination,

a member gasifiable substantially without residue on subjection to a molten casting charge and having substantially the configuration of an article to be cast, and

a layer of refractory material present in a significant amount up to a quarter inch applied to the outer surface of said member and dries to a solid condition, said layer being solid and gas permeable at the temperature of the molten casing charge and said member with said layer applied thereto being embedded in a molding material, whereby said member will be gasified upon subjection to the molten casting charge.

2. In a casting arrangement, in combination,

a member gasifiable substantially without residue on subjection to a molten casting charge and having substantially the configuration of an article to be cast, a substance distributed throughout said gasifiable member in significant amounts up to 500% by weight of the member to produce a predetermined characteristic in said molten casting charge to produce a predetermined characteristic in said molten casting charge, and

a layer of refractory material which is applied to the outer surface of said member and dries to a solid condition, said layer being solid and gas permeable at the temperature of the molten casting charge, and said member with said layer applied thereto being embedded in a molding material, whereby said member is gasified upon subjection to the molten casta member gasifiable substantially without residue upon 4. comprising, in combination,

subjection to a molten casting charge and having substantially the configuration of an article to be cast, an alloying substance distributed throughout said member in significant amounts up to 500% by Weight of the member to produce a predetermined characteristic in the molten casting charge, and

layer of refractory material which is applied to the outer surface of said member and dries to a solid condition and has incorporated therein a substance in significant amount up to by weight of the refractory material to produce a predetermined characteristic in the surface properties of the casting, said member with said layer applied thereto being embedded in a molding material, whereby said member is gasified upon a subjection to the molten casting charge and the alloying material is added to the molten casting charge as it gasifies the pattern and the surface properties of the casting are improved by the substance in the layer of refractory material.

For use in a casting member gasifiable substantially without residue on subjection to a molten casting charge and having substantially the configuration of an article to be cast, and

a significant layer of refractory material applied to the 5. comprising, in combination,

outer surface of said member up to a thickness of one quarter inch which dries to a solid condition, said layer being solid and gas permeable at the elevated temperature of the molten casting charge whereby said member and layer can be wholly embedded in a molding material and the member replaced by the molten casting charge.

For use in a casting arrangement, a casting pattern member gasifiable substantially without residue on subjection to a molten casting charge and having substantially the configuration of an article to be cast, and

a material distributed throughout said gasifiable body 6. comprising, in combination,

in significant amounts up to 500% by weight of the pattern to produce a predetermined characteristic in the casting.

For use in a casting arrangement, a casting pattern member gasifiable substantially without residue on subjection to a molten casting charge and having substantially the configuration of an article to be cast, said member having distributed therethrough a material in significant amounts up to 500% by Weight of the pattern to produce a predetermined characteristic in said molten casting charge, and

a layer of refractory material which is applied to the outer surface of said member and dries to a solid condition and remains solid and gas permeable at the temperature of the molten casting charge.

arrangement, a casting pattern For use in a casting arrangement. a casting pattern comprising in combination,

member gasifiable substantially without residue on subjection to a molten casting charge and having substantially the configuration of an article to be cast, said member having distributed therethrough a substance in significant amounts up to 500% by weight of the pattern to produce a predetermined characteristic in the casting, and

a layer of refractory material which is applied to the outer surface of said member in a slurry form and dries to a solid condition, said layer having incorporated therein a substance in significant amounts up to 10% by weight of the refractory material to produce a predetermined characteristic in the surface properties of the cast article when contacted by the molten casting charge.

In a casting arrangement, in combination,

a casting pattern consisting essentially of a member gasifiable substantially without residue on subjection to a molten casting charge and having substantially the configuration of an article to be cast,

a blind riser pattern of substantially spherical configuration and consisting essentially of a material gasifiable substantially without residue on subjection to a molten casting charge and being operatively con nected to said casting pattern, said pattern having a conical indentation in its upper surface extending downwardly into said pattern,

and a body of gas permeable molding material enveloping and having embedded therein said casting pattern and said substantially spherical gasifiable feeder head pattern with said molding material filling the indentation in said blind riser pattern to provide a gas permeable, solid material which remains solid at said elevated temperature and projects downwardly into said substantially spherical blind riser pattern.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS T. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner. MICHAEL V. BRINDISI, MARCUS U. LYONS,

Examiners.

E. MAR, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

5. FOR USE IN A CASTING ARRANGEMENT, A CASTING PATTERN COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A MEMBER GASIFIABLE SUBSTANTIALLY WITHOUT RESIDUE ON SUBJECTION TO A MOLTEN CASTING CHARGE AND HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY THE CONFIGURATION OF AN ARTICLE TO BE CAST, AND A MATERIAL DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT SAID GASIFIABLE BODY IN SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS UP TO 500% BY WEIGHT OF THE PATTERN TO PRODUCE A PREDETERMINED CHARACTERISTIC IN THE CASTING.