Effects of Gating System on the Flow Behaviors during Vacuum Counter Pressure Casting Thin Wall Aluminum Alloy

Abstract

The flow behaviors of molten Al alloy in sand mould cavity with varied gating system were simulated under vacuum counter-pressure casting and the ingate velocity was predicted using a software package. At same process conditions, the flow behaviors were investigated using electrode contact method. The comparison between the simulated results and the investigated results shows that a good agreement is achieved. The ingate flow velocity exceeding critical velocity and large velocity deviation are detected during filling mould withⅠtypes gating system, resulting in turbulent flow behavior. Whereas, flow behaviors take on stable flow pattern during filling the other mould cavity, although some differences of flow behaviors are present. The small ingate flow velocity and velocity deviation during filling mould cavity with Ⅲ type gating system may be conduce the more stable flow pattern thanⅡtype gating system.