Study of Microstructure, Hardness and Dimensional Accuracy in Al-6061 Centrifugally Cast Pipe

Abstract

Centrifugal casting method is most widely used for producing cylindrical components. In order to produce quality casting products, there comes a lot of challenges in the way to achieve defect-free casting. Various defects such as geometrical defects in appearance, microsegregation, blowholes, raining and shrinkage porosities, etc. are likely to occur, owing to poor casting practices and improper setting of process parameters. The process parameters like mould rotational speed, pouring temperature and pouring rate significantly affect the quality of the casting. In the present work, a centrifugal casting machine has been designed and fabricated. The casting of Al-6061 pipe has been carried out in the fabricated setup. This paper studies microstructure, hardness throughout the axial length and dimensional accuracy of Al-6061 pipe centrifugally cast in the fabricated centrifugal casting machine.