First part of the article describes how we can by change of gating system achieve better homogeneity of product made by investment casting. Turbine engine flap was made by investment casting technology – lost wax casting. The casting process was realised in vacuum. The initial conditions (with critical occurrence of porosity) was simulated in ProCAST software. Numerical simulation can clarify during analysis of melt turbulent flow in gate system responsible for creation of entrained oxide films. After initial results and conclusions, the new gating system was created with subsequent turbulence analysis. The new design of gating system support direct flow of metal and a decrease of porosity values in observed areas was achieved. Samples taken from a casting produced with use of newly designed gating system was processed and prepared for metallography. The second part of article deals with identification of structural components in used alloy - Inconel 718. The Ni – base superalloys, which are combined unique physical and mechanical properties, are used in aircraft industry for production of aero engine most stressed parts, as are turbine blades.

The melt cleaning is an important aspect in the production of high-quality aluminum castings. Specifically inclusions within the melt and an excessively high hydrogen content lead to defects and undesired porosity in the castings. Although it is possible to reduce the amount of hydrogen and oxidic inclusions by purge gas treatment and the use of melting salts, it is impossible to remove oxides (bifilms) created during filling of gating system. Paper deals with the effects of melt quality and the placement of a filter in the filling system on Al-7%Si-Mg alloy mechanical properties. Three different filters were used: (a) rectangular ceramic pressed filter with 3 mm thickness (b) cubical pressed ceramic filter with thickness 10 mm (c) cubical pressed ceramic filter with thickness 22 mm. The results showed that the highest tensile strength values were obtained from the filter with thickness of 22 mm. Numerical simulation analysis of the filling process showed that velocity reduction by filter is the major phenomenon affecting the mechanical properties. Another evaluated aspect during experiments was capability of filters to retain old bifilms. For this purpose multiply remelted alloy was prepared and analyzed. Results showed that filter efficiency increases with decreasing melt quality as a result of possibility to retain “old” bifilms better than small and thin “new” bifilms.

Submitted work deals with the analysis of reoxidation processes for aluminium alloys. Due to the aluminium high affinity to the oxygen, the oxidation and consequently reoxidation will occur. Paper focuses on the gating system design in order to suppress and minimize reoxidation processes. Design of the gating system is considered as one of the most important aspect, which can reduce the presence of reoxidation products - bifilms. The main reason for the reoxidation occurrence is turbulence during filling of the mold. By correctly designing the individual parts of gating system, it is possible to minimize turbulence and to ensure a smooth process of the mold filling. The aim of the work is an innovative approach in the construction of gating system by using unconventional elements, such as a naturally pressurized system or vortex elements. The aim is also to clarify the phenomenon during the gating system filling by visualization with the aid of ProCAST numerical simulation software. ProCAST can calculate different indicators which allow to better quantify the filling pattern.