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Thermophysical Properties and Performance of Riser Sleeves for Steel Castings

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Abstract

Riser sleeves are a popular feeding aid used in the metal casting industry. Reliable simulation of the performance of riser sleeves requires accurate temperature-dependent thermophysical properties. Unfortunately, there are little or no property data available in the open literature. A procedure for developing thermophysical properties of riser sleeves for steel castings is presented here along with its results. Analyses are performed using these sleeve properties to investigate optimal sleeve use. The modulus extension factor (MEF), which quantifies sleeve performance, is calculated for sleeve materials. Regardless of casting size studied here, the MEF determines casting yield improvement when using riser sleeves, and exothermic reactions do not necessarily increase yield unless they increase the MEF. Analyzing the effect of sleeve thickness on casting yield, it is found that the thicknesses of most commercially available riser sleeves are too small to maximize casting yield, particularly for risers of 8 in. diameter and larger.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the Iowa Energy Center to conduct this research through Grant No. 12-01. The authors would like to thank Jerry Thiel, Sairam Ravi and the staff and students at the University of Northern Iowa Metal Casting Center for their help in performing the casting experiments. In addition, the authors acknowledge the guidance and support of the Steel Founders’ Society of America and member foundries, and their donation of riser sleeves used in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

    Thomas J. Williams, Richard A. Hardin & Christoph Beckermann

Authors
  1. Thomas J. Williams
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  2. Richard A. Hardin
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  3. Christoph Beckermann
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Correspondence to Christoph Beckermann.

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Williams, T.J., Hardin, R.A. & Beckermann, C. Thermophysical Properties and Performance of Riser Sleeves for Steel Castings. Inter Metalcast 10, 535–555 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-016-0041-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-016-0041-7

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