Thanks a lot for your inputs mates, seems that we all would like to have a go at casting . But we want to buy some ingots and we don't know about the kind of alloy, that's the problem. We know about the process (moulds, temperatures, demoulding, inner holes, etc.) just want to know the correct alloy type for this job.
Please, anyone knows the concrete alloy type? :freak:
Fo a low stress item like a manifold, the choice of alloy would be based on castability, ie low melting point , fluidity and as low shrinkage as you can get. I only ever used the old LM series, LM6 and LM25 and these are now superseeded by the international series like 2000, 3000 and so on. Contact a metals factor and ask them, or your local tech if they haven't closed down yet, or see if there is a foundry local to you.
Once you have an ingot or two, you will need to melt - a furnace - and hold - a crucible. I wouldn't scrimp because a pound or two of olten ally WILL make a mess of everything around.
Its very satisfying, but also dangerous.
I have made very simple shapes using polystyrene. Just carve the shape you want, bury it DRY sand up to the top ( I held the sand in a tin. Then pour the metal on top. Very simple, no gating or risers to worry about. But the gassing contains cyanide so do it outside, as in open air. The finish will be like rough polystryene and need finishing, a lot, but it will be your own.
The specs for the alloy you get should be available, but as ricspeed says, not really a worry on the small dims you are talking about. Wibble the pattern slightly, that will do it.
I forgot previously, don't wear trainers for your pour, stout leather, as the min temp you are looking at is c.700C goes without saying gloves and goggs too. Set up on dry sand so any spillage dosen't flow all over.
Sorry if I sound like an old girl but the stuff can be very nasty.
. But we want to buy some ingots and we don't know about the kind of alloy, that's the problem. We know about the process (moulds, temperatures, demoulding, inner holes, etc.) just want to know the correct alloy type for this job.
