Analysis of crucible performance for aluminum scrap casting at small and medium enterprises (SMEs) foundry

Abstract

Performance analysis of crucible that used in aluminum casting at Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Foundry have been done by non-destructive test (NDT). A non-destructive testing method is a felicitous method because it does not interfere with the production process. The crucible analysis includes the Chemical composition analysis use X-Olympus XRF to know the crucible material, fluids flow analysis and design using finite element method with Autodesk Inventor Software and Autodesk Simulation CFD. Based on the results showed that the crucible consists of 97.17% Fe, 1.68% Si, 0.6% S, 0.22% Mn, 0.26% P, and 0.08% Cr. From fluids flow simulation founded a critical point in crucible area that appropriates with the leaks occur. In this critical point, the air velocity about 8.89 m/s and the velocity in the inlet and outlet drooped 266.7 m/s, increasingly severe with fixed support the crucible only on upper hatrack while at the bottom there is no support that caused the maximum stress in this section. Finite element method divided the displacement area by a mesh average of 0.08 in four colour variations, red colour at 48.94 mm max displacement, yellow colour on 29.36 mm – 39.15 mm displacement area, green colour at 19.58 mm – 29.36 mm displacement area, and blue colour at 0 mm – 19.58 mm displacement. The crack of crucible located between red and yellow colour about 39.15 mm displacement.