Gas defects such as blowholes and pinholes are often observed in iron castings cast in core molds made by the CO
2 process. This study was undertaken to investigate the behavior of gas pressure within various types of CO
2 mold cores. Gas pressure at various core portions during casting at 1,400°C were measured with a semiconductor pressure gauge developed in our laboratory. The cores used, which were 75mm in width, 150mm in length and 20mm in thickness had a core print on the open side for degassing. The factors in mold making such as sodium silicate content in the mold core, standing time in air and drying temperature after CO
2 gassing were varied.
The gas pressure-time curve in shell mold cores provided three peaks (peak; I, II, III), but the curve in CO
2 mold cores provided only two peaks (peak; I, II). Peak II in the latter was much higher than that in the former. The difference in the peak height between the two types of cores may be attributed to vaporization of water, which easily vaporizes and is amply contained in the water glass. The CO
2-passed core contained more water after being kept in a high humid environment than that after being kept in 60% humidity at 24°C. When molten iron was cast in the water-rich mold, the gas pressure exceeded the hydrostatic pressure of the molten metal, resulting in gas blowing which further caused gas defects in the casting. If the CO
2 mold was kept in low humid condition for a sufficient period or dried at a temperature above 100°C, the water content in the mold decreased and led to the decrease of gas pressure generating in the mold core, thus preventing casting defects due to gas bubbling.
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