Effect of processing factors on the characteristics of centrifugal casting

Centrifugal castings are produced by pouring liquid metal into rotating moulds. It solidifies under the influence of centrifugal forces, directed from the center to the periphery of the mould on account of mould rotation, and exhibits directionality in solidification which helps to eliminate voids and discontinuities in the resultant casting, usually encountered in gravity castings. Also, a compositional gradient is sat up in the melt which can be monitored, to produce functionally graded materials (FGMs) of choice with multi-functionality. The pouring rate, pouring temperature, mould temperature, and mould material can be suitably selected and altered in isolation or in combination, to generate a desired thermal gradient in the melt which decides its cooling rate. The cooling rate of the melt has the greatest impact on the grain structure of the casting. On the other hand, the grain structure of the casting governs its mechanical performance and decides the suitability for any specific end-use. Thus, different processing factors influence the characteristics of centrifugal casting. In the present article, a sincere attempt is made to analyze the effect of these factors and to enumerate the role played by each one of these factors in deciding the centrifugal casting characteristics.