STUDY OF MOULD TEMPERATURE EFFECT ON THE INCIDENCE OF POROSITY IN A CAST CYLINDER HEAD

摘要

Software simulation allows detecting casting zones with susceptibility to foundry defects. Some defects are only detected after castings are manufactured at high production rates. The changes needed to eliminate the problem imply economic losses and time waste. The present work analyzed the possibility of detecting low incidence defect zones by simulation. Simulation was calibrated with experimental data obtained from cooling curves, measured during the filling and solidification processes at the zones were potential defects appeared. The effect of changing the mould temperature was considered. Variations of mould temperature were made by delaying the time between castings. Cooling of the mould, before pouring a subsequent casting, was allowed both with and without the previous casting inside of the mould. The information obtained from simulations was compared with experimental results. It was found that after delaying the molding process, the number and extension of zones with porosity defects were increased.