Optimization of Shrinkage Porosity in Grinding Media Balls by Casting Design Modification and Simulation Technique

Shrinkage porosity or cavity are associated with the solidification of the metal either due to gas/air entrapment or when the shrinkage occurring during solidification is not entirely compensated by the riser. Shrinkage cavities occurring in the casting reduces its strength which leads to unfulfillment of the desired serviceability. In this paper, casting design has been modified using the DISA manual to achieve directional solidification which directly relates to improvement of casting quality. The running of metal from pouring basin into casting along with solidification has been analysed through PROCAST which is a casting simulation software based on Finite Element Method and CAFE (Cellular Automata Finite Element) Model. The feeding system of the casting has been modified in terms of shape and volume to minimize air aspiration effect and promote directional solidification. The model used is of grinding media balls casting of high chromium cast iron. The feeding pattern, feeding velocity and solidification with respect to pouring temperature, pouring rate, ambient temperature and film coefficient has been analysed. The final optimum range of all parameters with corresponding minimum shrinkage porosity in casting was obtained. Main aim was to minimize shrinkage porosity in the main casting, ignoring gating and feeding system. The actual minimization of shrinkage porosity comes out around 56 %.