The Effect of Pour Temperature and Cooling Media on Porosity and Hardness of Al-12.6%Si Alloy Using Wet Sand Mold Casting

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to know the influence of casting temperature and cooling media on porosity and hardness of foundry product. The foundry method uses gravity casting. The mold used is wet sand mold. The material used Al-12,6% Si alloy (scrap) from piston. The melting furnace uses a crucible furnace. Al alloy (scrap) is heated in furnace until melted, then poured into mold with variation of casting temperature 650 C. Then cooled in mold for 10 minutes. Furthermore, castings are removed from the mold and then cooled with variations of coolant medium; air, water and brine for 30 minutes. From the test results indicate that; (1) The pour temperature and the type of cooling medium is highly distorted to the porosity and hardness of the castings. (2) The higher the pouring temperature, the porosity value tends to decrease (water cooling medium and brine). (3) The higher the casting temperature, the castings hardness tends to increase.