Structure of AlSi Skeleton Castings

Skeleton castings macrostructure can be shaped in many ways, by choosing an appropriate material of cores and manufacturing technologies. Important factor, which puts foundry techniques over the other technologies of periodic cellular materials, is ability to adjust mechanical properties by changing the microstructure of an alloy from which the casting is made. The influence on the microstructure of the skeleton casting can be implemented by choosing the thermal properties, mainly thermal conductivity factor, of mould and core materials. Macro- and microstructure of skeleton castings with octahedron elementary cells was presented in this paper. The analysis concerns the differences in morphology of eutectic silicone depending on the location of measurements cross sections areas. The use of thermo-insulating material with appropriate properties assures correct fill of mould cavity and homogeneous microstructure on whole volume of skeleton casting. The selection of technological parameters of the casting process if very important as well.