All aluminum casting operations struggle with two major impurity issues: inclusions and hydrogen gas-caused porosity, which limit aluminum alloy castings from achieving their full consistent capability casting after casting. In this workshop, aluminum industry expert, Rafael Gallo, will provide a comprehensive discussion on molten quality, molten cleanliness assessment, and inclusions in castings. The workshop will discuss the effects of common day-to-day melting, and molten handling and treatment practices, upon creation or minimization of hydrogen content, oxides, and inclusions in the melt, which in turn impact the final quality of a casting. Metallurgical and operational factors for melting, degassing, and fluxing will be dissected aiming to yield greater melt cleanliness. Practical examples of the importance of discipline in executing operational procedures, and attention to detail regarding molten metal processes outcomes will also be discussed. The workshop will discuss technological advancements for assessing inclusion levels in molten aluminum baths, and evaluation of inclusions in castings to get across the importance of having an understanding on the melting and casting process, as well as of the types of inclusions in the molten metal.
This workshop is adapted from the new AFS book by workshop speaker Rafael Gallo, Molten Aluminum Cleanliness—Minimizing Inclusions in Baths and Castings. The book is available for pre-order along with workshop registration.
About the speaker:
Rafael is a recognized aluminum casting specialist with decades of experience in aircraft, military, and automotive aluminum foundry operations and research, as well as in the foundry supplier field. He is a long-time member of the AFS aluminum division. He has provided many presentations at AFS education events and has written and published his research in AFS Transactions and other international journals. This workshop is based on Rafael’s expert and extensive foundry background, research, and his metallurgical analytical skills. Rafael is currently Technical Consultant with Pyrotek.