While analyzing shape accuracy of ferroalloy precision castings in terms of ceramic moulds physical anisotropy, low-alloy steel castings

("cover") and cast iron ("plate") were included. The basic parameters in addition to the product linear shape accuracy are flatness

deviations, especially due to the expanded flat surface which is cast plate. For mentioned castings surface micro-geometry analysis was

also carried, favoring surface load capacity tp50 for Rmax = 50%.

Surface load capacity tp50 obtained for the cast cover was compared with machined product, and casting plate surface was compared with

wear part of the conveyor belt. The results were referred to anisotropy of ceramic moulds physical properties, which was evaluated by

studying ceramic moulds samples in computer tomography equipment Metrotom 800.

The work presents the results of the studies of Co-Cr-Mo casting alloys used in the production of frame casts of removable dentures,

crowns and bridges in dental prosthetics. The studies were performed on four Co-Cr-Mo alloys of different contents of Mo, W and other

additives. Electrochemical tests were performed, which aimed at examining the corrosion resistance of the alloys and observing the alloy

structure after chronoamperometric tests with the potential in the area of the occurrence of the passive layer breakpoint. The alloy

microstructure images after chronoamperometric tests show the presence of non-uniformly distributed general corrosion. Moreover, a

project of cobalt alloy casting was elaborated using a ceramic mold casting. Additionally, analysis of the obtained microstructure was

performed. The microstructure of the examined alloys was of the dendrite type. This microstructure was chemically inhomogeneous and

consisted of an austenitic matrix formed by a solid cobalt solution and chromium in the core dendritic structure.

The investigation results of the kinetics of binding ceramic moulds, in dependence on the solid phase content in the liquid ceramic slurries being 67, 68 and 69% - respectively, made on the basis of the aqueous binding agents Ludox AM and SK. The ultrasonic method was used for assessing the kinetics of strengthening of the multilayer ceramic mould. Due to this method, it is possible to determine the ceramic mould strength at individual stages of its production. Currently self-supporting moulds, which must have the relevant strength during pouring with liquid metal, are mainly produced. A few various factors influence this mould strength. One of them is the ceramic slurry viscosity, which influences a thickness of individual layers deposited on the wax model in the investment casting technology. Depositing of layers causes increasing the total mould thickness. Therefore, it is important to determine the drying time of each deposited layer in order to prevent the mould cracking due to insufficient drying of layers and thus the weakening of the multilayer mould structure.

The study discusses the issues connected with the production of thin-walled ceramic slurry in the replicast cs technology. In the ceramic mould production process, a special role is played by the liquid ceramic slurry used to produce the first layer of the mould. The study examines selected technological properties of liquid ceramic slurries used to produce moulds in the replicas cs technology. The ceramic slurries for the tests were prepared based on the binders Ludox Px30 and Sizol 030, enriched with Refracourse flour. The wettability of the pattern's surface by the liquid ceramic slurry and the dependence of the apparent viscosity on the ceramic flour content in the mixture were determined. The wettability of the pattern surface by the liquid ceramic slurry was determined based on the measurement of the wetting angle. The angle was determined by means of an analysis of the computer image obtained with the use of a CDC camera.

In contrast to casting to conventional non-reusable “sand” moulds, for which calculating technique for an optimum design of the gating system is comparatively well-developed, a trial-and-error method is applied mostly for casting to ceramic shell moulds made by the investment casting technology. A technologist selects from gating systems of several types (that are standardized by the foundry mostly) on the basis of experience. However, this approach is not sustainable with ever growing demands on quality of castings and also the economy of their fabrication as well as with new types of complex sizeable castings introduced to the production gradually (by new customers from the aircraft industry above all) any more. The simulation software may be used as a possible tool for making the process of optimising gating systems more effective.

This article investigates possible use of waste gypsum (synthetic), recovered via flue-gas desulfurization from coal-fired electric power plants, in foundries. Energy sector, which in Eastern Europe is mostly composed from coal-fired electric power plants, is one of the largest producers of sulfur dioxide (SO2). In order to protect the environment and reduce the amount of pollution flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) is used to remove SO2 from exhaust flue gases of fossil-fuel power plants. As a result of this process gypsum waste is produced that can be used in practical applications. Strength and permeability tests have been made and also in-depth analysis of energy consumption of production process to investigate ways of preparing the synthetic gypsum for casting moulds application. This paper also assesses the chemical composition, strength and permeability of moulds made with synthetic gypsum, in comparison with moulds made with traditional GoldStar XL gypsum and with ceramic molds. Moreover examination of structure of synthetic gypsum, the investigations on derivatograph and calculations of energy consumption during production process of synthetic gypsum in wet flue-gas desulfurization were made. After analysis of gathered data it’s possible to conclude that synthetic gypsum can be used as a material for casting mould. There is no significant decrease in key properties, and on the other hand there is many additional benefits including low energy consumption, decreased cost, and decreased environmental impact.

The article focuses on the analysis of the effect of Zr on the properties of the aluminium alloy AlSi9Cu1Mg. The effect of Zr was evaluated depending on the change in mechanical properties and heat resistance during a gradual addition of Zr with an increase of 0.05 wt. % Zr. Half of the cast experimental samples from each variant were heat treated by precipitation hardening T6 (hereinafter HT). The measured values in both states indicate an improvement of the mechanical properties, especially in the experimental variants with a content of Zr ≥ 0.20 wt. %. In the evaluation of Rm, the most significant improvement occurred in the experimental variant with an addition of Zr 0.25 wt. % after HT and E in the experimental variant with addition of Zr 0.20 wt. % after HT. Thus, a difference was found from the results of the authors defining the positive effect of Zr, in particular at 0.15 wt. %. When evaluating the microstructure of the AlSi9Cu1Mg alloy after Zr alloying, Zr phases are already eliminated with the addition of Zr 0.10 wt. %. Especially at higher levels of Zr ≥ 0.20 wt. %, long needle phases with slightly cleaved morphology are visible in the metal matrix. It can be stated that a negative manifestation of Zr alloying is expressed by an increase in gassing of experimental alloys, especially in variants with a content of Zr ≥ 0.15 wt. %. Experimental samples were cast into ceramic moulds. The development of an experimental alloy AlSi9Cu1Mg alloyed with Zr would allow the production of a more sophisticated material applicable to thin-walled Al castings capable of operating at higher temperature loads.