CASTING INNOVATIONS
Cover Alloy Offers Way to Reduce Costs Elkem has introduced Topseed
iron/magnesium contact.
cover alloy as a means to reduce mag- nesium addition and lower production costs in ductile iron casting facilities. Te use of magnesium ferrosilcon
(MgFeSi) to nodularize cast iron is a significant cost for ductile iron cast- ing facilities. Topseed is designed to maximize the recovery of magnesium and allows for reductions in reactiv- ity and higher levels of nucleation. Topseed cover alloy has been
formulated to: • Provide a high density cover for MgFeSi in the ladle, which will delay the onset of reaction, allowing a greater ferostatic head and more
• Achieve a quiet metal/magne- sium reaction, less fume, no iron splashing and a safer working environment. • Give a dry slag that is easy to skim from the metal surface.
• Provide a higher magnesium recovery that will then allow for a reduction in MgFeSi or the use of a lower magne- sium alloy.
• Reduce magnesium usage and reactivity; the nucleation of the iron is higher, reducing the need for subsequent inoculation. • Extend fading time. • Achieve longer lining life.
• Keep a clean pocket in the ladle. Topseed is a dense material based
on maximum 50% silicon and, in its closely graded sizing, provides a close packed cover on the MgFeSi. The alloy is endothermic and
provides a shortterm barrier to cast iron burning through to reach the MgFeSi. This allows for a greater ferrostatic head in the ladle, there- fore increasing the contact between the magnesium vapor and the iron. The use of properly designed pockets can lead to high magnesium recoveries, particularly when used in conjunction with Elkem’s extensive range of nodularizers. Recent comprehensive tests in met-
alcasting facilities have shown a reduc- tion in MgFeSi addition of up to 20% due to excellent magnesium recovery. Elkem manufactures the largest number of MgFeSi chemistries in the world and can tailor an alloy to
Topseed cover alloy reduces magnesium addition for ductile iron.
specific needs. Visit
www.elkem.com for more information
METALCASTING SUPPLIES CFD Software
Flow Science has released Flow-3D/MP v5.0, the distributed memory version of its flagship computational fluid dynamics software. It enables engineers to take advantage of the scaling potential of the software on multi-core clusters. Te program offers users perfor- mance and scaling improvements com- pared to the standard Flow-3D v. 10.1 for workstations and to the prior release of Flow- 3D/MP, v4.2.
Visit
www.flow3d.com for more information. Precision Grinding Technology
Norton Abrasives, a brand of Saint-Gobain, has launched Norton Vitrium3, the next generation of bonded abrasives products, engineered for maximum performance and cost savings in precision grinding. Norton Vitrium3 features a patent-pending bond technology that promotes excellent grain adhesion for
improved product versatility across a wide range of applications. Visit
www.nortonabrasives.com for more information.
Walk-in Oven
Grieve’s No. 1015 electrical- ly-heated 500F (260C) combi- nation airflow walk-in oven, used for pre- heating molds to be filled with metal alloy. Workspace di- mensions are 48 x 48 x 120 in. A 3,300 CFM 2-horsepower recirculating blower provides combination airflow to the oven. Controls include a digital indicating temperature controller, an adjustable, thermocouple acutated, manual reset excess temperature
controller and 30-hour shutdown timer. Visit
www.grievecorp.com for more information.
July 2013 MODERN CASTING | 43
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60