Western Michigan University

Jay Easwaran

A foamed pattern of a desired part is first formed. The pattern is then dipped into a ceramic slurry and the slurry dried in order to form a shell containing the foamed pattern. A heated bed of a particulate medium is formed around the ceramic shell which causes the pattern to evaporate and form a mold. A molten metal is then introduced into the mold and solidified while being held at an elevated temperature for a period of time to accomplish a desired heat treatment of the metal. With this method, the casting does not have to be subsequently heat treated in a separate operation. It can be removed as an as cast casting, having the desired microstructures.

Process for combined casting and heat treatment

A method is disclosed for the casting of metals by the use of a consumable or vaporizable pattern. In this method, a foamed pattern of a desired part is first formed. The pattern is then dipped into a ceramic slurry and the slurry dried in order to form a shell containing the foamed pattern. A bed of a particulate medium heated to a temperature of from 700.degree. to 1000.degree. F. is formed around the ceramic shell to cause the pattern to vaporize without burning and form a mold. A molten metal is then introduced into the mold, solidified and removed from the mold to form a casting. An inert atmosphere can be provided over the bed of heated particulate medium during the vaporization of the pattern to help suppress the burning of the vaporized pattern.

Low temperature process for evaporative pattern casting

A method is disclosed for the casting of metals by the use of a consumable or evaporative pattern. In this method, a foamed pattern of a desired part is first formed. The pattern is then dipped into a ceramic slurry and the slurry dried in order to form a shell containing the foamed pattern. A heated bed of a particulate medium is formed around the ceramic shell which causes the pattern to evaporate and form a mold. A molten metal is then introduced into the mold, solidified and removed from the mold to form a casting.

Growing community of inventors

Portage, MI, United States of America

Jay Easwaran