Evaluation Of Blowholes And Shrinkage Defects In Investment Casting Of Low Alloy Steels

International Journal of Engineering Research and Developmente-ISSN: 2278-067X, p-ISSN: 2278-800X, www.ijerd.com Volume 9, Issue 9 (January 2014), PP. 07-10 Evaluation Of Blowholes And Shrinkage Defects In Investment Casting Of Low Alloy Steels Smt R.Sri Rama Devi Associate Professor, Department of Metallurgical Engineering, JNTU-H, Kukatpally, Hyderabad-500085 Abstract:- Low alloy steels produced through investment casting technique suffer from Gas holes / Blowholes, Shrinkage cavities, Slag inclusions, cracks and hot tears, cold shuts etc. Blowholes are entrapped bubbles of gas with smooth walls. The causes for blowholes are Inadequate metallostatic pressure, use of rusty scrap, moist conditions presence of liquid slag, improper degassing of liquid metal, improper gating system, turbulence while filling, too low head pressure, gas entraption due to inadequate flow-offs, risers & back pressure, interrupted/ slow pouring, cold pouring, low pouring pressure etc. The volumetric contraction accompanying solidification of molten metal manifests in defects like shrinkage cavity, porosity, centerline shrinkage, corner shrinkage and sink. Shrinkage defects can be minimized by adopting carefully designed gating system which promotes directional solidification i.e. from thin to thick sections in the casting, leading to feeders. Parameters that control the feeding system are location of the feeder, size and shape of the feeder, material from which the feeder is manufactured. In this project work it is decisive to know the effect of these parameters on level of these defects. I. INTRODUCTION Investment casting technique is the best process for producing a product to the near net shape and size and that can be fitted into the assembly without any machining. This process is best suitable for mass production of small size casting of size few grams to 300 Kg. Better surface finishes and dimensional accuracy, the normal tolerance being ±0.005mm, Intricate machining of the casting is avoided. Thin sections of the order of 0.75 mm can be cast by this method, so that saving a great extent of machine and man hours and finally the cost of the end product will be cheaper. But the casting technique lacks the quality of the product due to defects those are inherent of the product. Castings having the shorter life span than the products from other routes due to these defects. Producing castings without any defect is a challenging job to the foundry men. Since, so many parameters affecting the quality of the casting that includes raw materials, various stages of operations/ processes to the end product. Out of those some vital parameters needs high attention of the producer and the quality man. Variation in shape and size of product and material and workman ship always gives scope to do some new work. II. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT Ordnance Factory Medak is one of the largest castings producer having facilities for production of various types and sizes of castings used in defense production. Castings such as Housing to Drg No GCF-TM199(M) and Clamp/Web to Drg No GCF-TM-175 are produced through Investment casting with radiography acceptance standards of these castings are given in the table No. 3.1 Defects Gas porosity Table I: Acceptance Standards Acceptance level up to Level –V Slag inclusions /foreign materials up to Level –V Shrinkage Cavity/Porosity up to Level –III Cracks, Hot tears and Cold shuts Not Acceptable Acceptable Standard As per ASTM E-192. The casting are still to be established with the above Radiographic acceptance standards. With presently following procedures and gating system, defects such as shrinkage and gas porosity levels obtained are above the acceptance standard. Above components are required for 30mm Automatic gun with high firing rate, which are fitted on ICV-II Vehicle. Achievement of acceptance standards is very much essential for firing the gun at higher rate 7 The bending fatigue properties of cast steel sections were reduced because of the presence of shrinkage discontinuities. Flaws affect structural integrity and have a considerable influence on the engineering application of the material [10]. “Evaluation of Blowholes and Shrinkage defects in Investment Casting of Low Alloy Steels”. 3. and the elastic modulus is zero [11]. The decrease in the ratio of the alternating shear stress to tensile strength at the endurance limit is about 17 percent for Class 2 shrinkage and 32 percent for Class 6 shrinkage for the high strength. namely. Experimental work on the effect of porosity on the fatigue strength of cast steel reveals that reductions in fatigue strength of 35% and 50% are observed for “sizes” (areas of cavities) of less than and greater than 3 mm2. The amount of reduction increases with the severity of shrinkage. The fatigue properties were considerably reduced. the smallest (pinholes) appear in groups of varying dimensions. At this point the material loses all loads carrying capability. 4. Main objectives of the project are: The main objective of this project work is to find out the effect of various parameters on level of Blowholes and Shrinkage defects in low alloy steels made through investment castings. The presence of Class 2 and Class 6 internal shrinkage reduces to an appreciable extent the torsion fatigue strength of cast steel sections. to validate the analysis methods for casting soundness through radiographic testing. The decrease was not so great for the lower strength annealed cast steel .Evaluation Of Blowholes And Shrinkage Defects In Investment Casting Of Low Alloy Steels with more safety of crew. Development a procedure and gating system which improves the quality of the components improves effective function of the components and also the safety of the crew. fatigue strength reductions from 8 to 30% were found when shrinkage porosity cavities covered 3 to 7% of the fracture surface [13]. however. respectively. Porosity may be the most persistent and common complaint of casting users. Material is never free from flaws. The areas selected for this work are as under: 1. Literature Review (a) Gating design (b) Risering system (c) Melting and Pouring Experimental (a) Chemical composition (b) Pouring temperature (c) Pouring time (d) Gating and feeding system Analysis of Data & Result and discussion Conclusion 8 . OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE PROJECT This Project. quenched and tempered cast steel. for cast 13 Cr stainless steel. 15 percent for Class 2 shrinkage and 20 percent for Class 6 shrinkage[13]. For low alloy steel. when both Class 2 and Class 6 shrinkage extended to the surface of the test specimen [13]. In specific cases. This reduction is greater for normalized and tempered than for quenched and tempered cast steels. more or less oxidized. The largest cavities are most often isolated. Hence. and to ultimately propose new design and improved product quality standards. III. IV. 2. The presence of shrinkage discontinuities reduces the level of fibrous fracture energy in bending impact specimens. has ambitious objectives. The interior walls of blowholes and pinholes can be shiny. EFFECT OF BLOW HOLES AND SHRINKAGE CAVITIES ON CASTINGS It is a fact of life that any material or product produced after undergoing various manufacturing processes with utmost care does contain a flaw and material with a flaw is an acceptable norm in all the industries. At porosity levels above this critical value there is no longer interconnected solid throughout the volume of material. The defect can appear in all regions of the casting. The presence of shrinkage discontinuities has a greater effect on the behavior of cast steel sections tested in tension impact than in bending impact[13]. Porosity in castings contributes directly to customer concerns about reliability and quality. the casting section can be strewn with blowholes of pinholes. the main aim and objective of this project is to study the various parameters affecting the Shrinkage and Blow holes in low alloy steel castings produced through Investment casting technique. Using statistical tools prepare graphs to determine the preferred levels for each parameter of the process.10 0.450.40 0.350. Brief about implementation of key parameters is as follows: A.60 1.1. Pouring temp & Time Risering & Gating IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IDENTIFICATION OF KEY PARAMETERS The data collection and implementation of identified key parameters have been done and results obtained as per expectations. For example.30 0. The methodology to achieve optimized process parameters are as given below: (a) Any defect is selected which is needed to be analyzed. (c) Select the most significant parameters that cause the defects in casting.30 0.60 0.035 Body.00 max 1.200. CLA1C GCF-TM153 (J) BS.3146: Pt-I: 0.401.200. etc.30 0.0.80 . 9 .035 Bracket.) largely depends on the melting. EXPERIMENTATION In casting processes.35 . 1974 Type 0. VI. Pouring temp & Time Table II Specification C% Si% Mn% Ni% Cr% Mo% Cu% S% P% Casting BS.0. feeding system. (d) Plan the experiments as per either design of experiments. (e) Analyze the data.80 1. collect the data.Evaluation Of Blowholes And Shrinkage Defects In Investment Casting Of Low Alloy Steels V. Pouring temperature The data on pouring of casting „Bracket‟ at various temp and affect on soundness and rejection% is analyzed and a graph is plotted which is shown at fig 1. 0.00 .45 0. collection of data pertaining to low alloy steel castings and study and analysis.30 0.035 0. (b) The target of process is to achieve “lower casting defects” by adjusting the process parameters.0.3146: Pt-I: 0. These parameters can be identified by the cause effect diagram. 1974 Type 0. The following parameters have been identified as key Parameter which affecting the radiographic acceptance standard of the castings: (a) (b) VII. Any minor change to some critical parameters leads to defective casting/product.045 0. GCFTM-174 (J) CLA12A IS: 10343 Gr 0.035 0.80 1.40 .40 0.00 max max max max max max Drg. (f) Decide optimum settings of the control parameters.20 . A.70 1. No.0.20 max max max max No.500. many internal defects (Gas holes/blow holes.0. many causes have been listed under different categories such as design.35 max max max Drg No 64C „4D‟ 1024 250 F3 VIII. there are so many parameters which affect the quality of the product. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION This data with different pouring temp and pouring time of castings is analyzed in a graphical representation based on acceptance or rejection of various castings having defects like Gas Porosity and Shrinkage Porosity/Cavity etc according to acceptance standard of castings. molding and pouring/melting related parameters. Root cause analysis of defects related to items Housing and Clamp and experimental work changing gating and feeding system of the two castings. raw material etc.040 Depressor.30 . METHODOLOGY The methodology of this project is to study the ordnance factory investment casting plant and their procedures. Based on the experimental conditions. Shrinkage cavities.300.45 0. Results and discussion of the out come and conclusion. Verify the optimum settings result in the predicted reduction in the casting defects.55 0.10 0. For each type of defect.40 0. Drg. Advanced Casting Technology. Christoph Beckermann. Riser design. [4]. Sprue/Riser height should be maintained as high as possible in order to maintain hydrostatic pressure of liquid metal in the Sprue/Riser all over the casting to feed it during solidification and avoid formation of shrinkage defects. Vijay V Vesvikar. Beckermann. For thin & thick section i. Pouring temp should be kept higher side for castings with thinner sections to increase the fluidity of the melt so as to allow the liquid melt to reach extreme thinner section and far end sections of the casting. Jagadeshwar & B. The Effect of Pour Time and Head Height on Air Entrainment. REFERENCE [1]. by John R. [7]. Progress in Investment Castings. 1: Pouring temperature v/s % Rejection of casting ‘Bracket’ IX.e.Evaluation Of Blowholes And Shrinkage Defects In Investment Casting Of Low Alloy Steels 10 9 8 % Rejection 7 6 5 4 Rejection% 3 2 1 0 1540 1550 1560 1570 Pouring temperature deg C Fig. by Richard W Heine. Hydrogen. complex castings gating system should be designed in such a way that thinner sections solidify first and then proceed towards thicker section. Significance Of Flaws In Performance Of Engineering Components. Nitrogen and Oxygen etc. D. Raymond W. by Mr . Frye. Science and Technology of Casting Processes (Progress in Investment Castings) by Ram Prasad. Ravi. [10]. Principles of Metal Casting. Holding time of liquid metal in the furnace or in the ladle should be kept as little as possible to avoid pickup of harmful gases i. 10 . [13]. Hardin1and C. Foseco Foundryman‟s Handbook. So that casting will be free from cold shut and cold lap defects. copy right© 2009 ASM International. [14]. Feeding system design and evaluation using Temperature Gradient (Feed path) Maps by M. by Ram Prasad. TV Ramana Rao. by Richard Hardin and Christoph Beckermann. [12]. Joshi. [11].A. by R.L. [6]. by Charles w. Characterization and correction of casting defects. L.e. so that thicker section acts as hot spot and feeds thinner section and riser should be provided at thicker section so that desired radiography standards can be obtained with out any difficulty. [8]. By Timothy L. [3]. M. [5].C. Effect of Shrinkage on Service Performance of Steel Castings. Monroe. [9]. by OP Khanna. Sutaria. Carl R Loper and Philip C Rosenthal. Helmut F. Metal Casting Principles & Practice by Prof. Simulation of the Mechanical Performance of Cast Steel with Porosity: Static Properties. So that casting will be free from shrinkage porosity defects. Ph. Brown. The effect of internal shrinkage discontinuities on the fatigue and impact properties of cast steel sections.D TechForm. by Malcolm Blair. Foundry Technology. [2]. Donohue and Dr. Pouring should be done in controlled manner smoothly and without any agitation otherwise it will leads to turbulence in the liquid metal and resulting gas porosity. Briggs. CONCLUSION Pouring temperature and pouring time had a vital role in obtaining desired quality of casting Pouring temp should be kept lower side for castings with thick sections and the alloys freezing with mushiezone at liquidus and solidus zone.