Centrifugal Casting
CYCO offers precise casting services with advanced technology and superior workmanship. Whether you need complex and high-precision parts or mass production, we can meet your needs.
Overview of Centrifugal Casting
Centrifugal casting is a metal casting process. The main feature is that the centrifugal force generated by rotating the mold causes the liquid metal to be evenly distributed on the inner wall of the mold and solidify into shape. The centrifugal force allows the liquid metal to better fill all parts of the casting mold, and good mold filling can be achieved, especially for complex shapes and hollow parts. This casting method is commonly used to produce hollow parts such as pipes, hubs, fan blades, and other parts that require special shapes.
Processes of Centrifugal Casting
1. Mold preparation: Prepare a mold that can be rotated and apply refractory coating on the surface. The appropriate mold material will be chosen according to the material and shape of the casting, which can be sand, metal or ceramic.
2. Injection: Select the appropriate metal or alloy and heat it to a liquid state. Before pouring, the metal liquid can be filtered with a filter, such as a foam ceramic filter or fiberglass filter, to remove impurities and slag from it.
3. Rotation and solidification: Once the liquid metal has filled the mold, rotation of the mold begins. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the mold distributes the liquid metal along the inside walls of the mold, gradually filling the entire mold. As the mold rotates, the liquid metal begins to cool and solidify inside the mold walls.
4. Cooling and demolding: As soon as the casting is fully solidified, the rotation of the mold is stopped and it is cooled. Natural cooling, water cooling or other cooling methods can be used to ensure that the casting is fully solidified. After cooling to a certain temperature, open the mold and remove the finished product.
5. Cleaning and machining: Clean the sand, burrs and other residues from the surface of the casting to ensure the quality and appearance of the casting. According to the needs, the castings can also be heat-treated, machined, surface-treated and other post-treatment processes to improve their performance and surface quality.
Available Machines
Vertical centrifugal casting machine: One of the most common types of centrifugal casting machine. In a vertical centrifugal casting machine, the mold is placed vertically and the centrifugal force generated by rotation distributes the liquid metal along the inner wall of the mold. This type of machine is suitable for the manufacture of larger diameter pipes, hubs, and other parts.
Horizontal centrifugal casting machine: In contrast to vertical centrifugal casting, the mold is placed horizontally in a horizontal centrifugal casting machine. This type of machine is usually used for manufacturing shorter length pipes and shaft-like parts.
Available Metals
Copper alloys: Such as copper aluminum alloys and copper-tin alloys. These alloys are commonly used in the manufacture of bearing bushings, pipes and similar parts.
Aluminum alloys: Usually used in the manufacture of wheels, automotive parts, pipes and other lightweight structures, such as aluminum-silicon alloys, aluminum-magnesium alloys, and so on.
Ferrous alloys: Especially ductile and gray cast iron are commonly used in the manufacture of pipes, flanges, valves and other industrial parts.
Nickel alloys: Nickel-chromium and nickel-iron alloys are often used in high-temperature and corrosive environments, such as aerospace, energy, and chemicals.
Titanium alloys: High-strength and corrosion-resistant titanium alloys have important uses in aerospace, medical and chemical industries.
Stainless steel: A highly corrosion-resistant alloy, it is commonly used in the production of pipes, valves, pumps, and other parts that require corrosion-resistant properties.
Types of Centrifugal Casting
True Centrifugal Casting
A specialized casting process that uses only centrifugal force to drive the liquid metal to fill the mold and solidify into shape, without relying on gravity or other auxiliary forces. Due to the role of centrifugal force, the casting grain structure is usually more uniform and fine, which is conducive to improving its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. True centrifugal casting can reduce or eliminate the porosity, inclusions and shrinkage holes inside the casting, as well as improve the density and mechanical properties of the casting.
Semi-Centrifugal Casting
In the semi-centrifugal casting process, the filling of the liquid metal depends on both gravity and centrifugal force. The effect of centrifugal force in semi-centrifugal casting is relatively weak compared to ture centrifugal casting, and is mainly used to assist in the flow and distribution of the liquid metal. In semi-centrifugal casting, the mold is usually tilted rather than perfectly vertical. This method allows centrifugal force to be used in the tilted state of the mold to produce parts of a specific shape.
Centrifugal Casting
A metal casting process in which centrifugal force is generated by rotating a mold, causing liquid metal to be evenly distributed on the inner walls of the mold and forming parts after cooling and solidifying. As a result of the centrifugal force, the liquid metal is pushed against the inner wall of the casting and fills its shape, while eliminating gases and inclusions, resulting in castings with high densities and good internal quality. It is not suitable for all types of alloys and the choice of materials will be limited. Also, some machining of the gate and runners is required.
Benefits of Centrifugal Casting
1. The liquid metal is uniformly distributed on the inside walls of the mold by centrifugal force, which produces a uniform wall thickness, and is critical for the manufacture of some parts.
2. Since centrifugal force aids in the uniform distribution of the liquid metal and the removal of gases and inclusions, parts made by centrifugal casting typically have a higher density, which helps improve the mechanical properties of the material.
3. Centrifugal casting is suitable for many types of metal alloys, including copper alloys, aluminum alloys, ferrous alloys, and nickel alloys, providing a wide range of material adaptability.
4. Due to the rotational distribution of the metal within the mold, centrifugal casting typically produces relatively smooth and good quality surfaces.
5. Centrifugal force affects the crystallization process of the metal, and may result in a finer, more uniform grain structure, which is beneficial in improving the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the casting.
Applications
Pipeline manufacturing
Commonly used in the manufacture of various types of pipelines, such as water pipes, gas pipes, petroleum pipelines, chemical pipelines, which usually have smooth inner walls and uniform quality.
Marine engineering
Production of marine propellers, rudder blades and other marine equipment components, which need to have good corrosion resistance and strength.
Metallurgy and mining
Manufacture of wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant mining equipment parts, such as wear-resistant liners for ore crushers and conveyor belt rollers.
Paper making and printing
Make key equipment components such as drying drums, calender rolls, and so on.
Architecture and structure
Produce some special architectural and structural components, such as bridge bearings, large columns and so on.
Why CYCO
Expertise
Rich experience and expertise in centrifugal casting, capable of dealing with various complex projects and special requirements.
Technical Capability
Advanced centrifugal casting technology and equipment to ensure the production of high-quality, high-precision parts.
Comprehensive Support
Companies that can provide full engineering support, including design advice, material selection, and prototyping, to ensure successful project implementation.
Timely Delivery
Two physical plants to ensure that products can be delivered on time and according to the project plan.
FAQs
1. What types of parts are suitable for centrifugal casting?
It is particularly suitable for the production of parts with complex internal passages, hollow or tubular structures, such as turbine blades, pipes, cylinder liners, bearing bushings, flanges and various industrial components.
2. How long does a centrifugal casting mold last?
Mold life depends on several factors, including frequency of use, characteristics of the metal, and mold material. Good maintenance and proper use can extend mold life.
3. How to control the wall thickness of the part during centrifugal casting?
In the centrifugal casting process, the wall thickness of the part is adjusted primarily by controlling the rotation speed, pouring temperature, pouring time and mold design. Higher rotational speeds create greater centrifugal forces, which help to create thinner wall thicknesses.
4. What are the limitations of centrifugal casting?
Although centrifugal casting has many advantages, it may not be well suited for some very large, very thin-walled or highly complex parts. In addition, equipment costs and energy consumption may also be limitations.