Abstract: A method and apparatus for centrifugal casting of metal articles uses a rotating mold body that can be pivoted from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation during the centrifugal casting of the metal article. The resulting metal article has a closed end and an open end defining a hollow cavity. The mold body has a closed end that is oriented in a vertical position with the longitudinal axis extending vertically. While the mold body is rotated, an amount of molten metal is introduced into the mold body so that the molten metal is distributed along the closed end of the mold body. In one embodiment, the bottom end of the mold body has a frustoconical shaped surface defining the mold cavity. The mold body is then pivoted to a horizontal position while continuously rotating to distribute and cast the metal against the inner surface of the mold body. In one embodiment, the mold body has a refractory lining of a compacted refractory material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in centrifugal casting of metal articles forms a compacted lining of a particulate refractory material on an inner surface of the mold. An amount of a dry binderless particulate refractory material is dispensed on the inner surface of a rotating mold body to form a centrifugally densified layer. A plowing tool is brought into contact with a layer of refractory material while continuously rotating the mold body to plow and compact the layer of particles. The tool is oriented at an angle with respect to the direction of travel of the layer of particles to penetrate the layer and compact the particles toward the inner surface of the mold body. The combination of the centrifugal force and the mechanical compaction of the particles results in a dense, air impervious, compacted mold lining having interlocked particles and voids between the particles that are not interconnected with an adjacent void.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in centrifugal casting of metal articles forms a compacted lining of a particulate refractory material on an inner surface of the mold. An amount of a dry binderless particulate refractory material is dispensed on the inner surface of a rotating mold body to form a centrifugally densified layer. A plowing tool is brought into contact with a layer of refractory material while continuously rotating the mold body to plow and compact the layer of particles. The tool is oriented at an angle with respect to the direction of travel of the layer of particles to penetrate the layer and compact the particles toward the inner surface of the mold body. The combination of the centrifugal force and the mechanical compaction of the particles results in a dense, air impervious, compacted mold lining having interlocked particles and voids between the particles that are not interconnected with an adjacent void.

Abstract: Reduction of porosity and control of graphitization in the centrifugal casting of tubular metal articles are achieved providing on the active surface of a metal mold by a densified and contoured lining of binderless particulate refractory material, at least 20% by weight of the particles in all of the lining being angular particles, at least 25% by weight of the particles in that portion of the lining in contact with the metal mold having predetermined particles size and/or thermal conductivity. The lining may comprise both a primary layer, formed of particles having good thermal conductivity and/or a relatively larger particle size, and a facing layer formed, e.g., of a milled refractory flour.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for establishing a layer of particulate material on at least a portion of the internal surface of a centrifugal casting mold by confining a quantity of the particulate material in a cavity, inserting the cavity into the mold, rotating the mold and the cavity at substantially the same rate adequate to apply substantial centrifugal force to the particulate material in the cavity, and opening the cavity to release the particulate material while continuing to rotate the mold and the cavity.

Abstract: Centrifugal casting apparatus for casting cylinder liners and other tubular articles, characterized by recovery of at least a major portion of the particulate refractory material used to line the mold, with the recovered refractory material being suitable for re-use. The apparatus provides a chamber having aligned openings through which the cast article moves as the article is withdrawn from the mold by a puller. Particulate refractory material from within the mold and from the surface of the cast article is collected in the chamber and conveyed from the chamber to separator means for removal of debris.

Abstract: Tubular metal articles are produced by centrifugal casting in a rotary metal mold lined by centrifugally distributing a quantity of a dry finely particulate free flowing refractory material on the active mold surface with the quantity being in excess of that required for the lining, densifying the layer by rotating the mold at a rate such that the refractory layer is subjected to centrifugal force adequate to establish an equivalent specific gravity of at least 7.5, determined by multiplying the actual specific gravity of the refractory material by the number of gravities of centrifugal force, contouring the densified layer and removing the excess refractory material, rotating the mold at the casting rate and then introducing the molten metal for casting while continuing to rotate the mold at least that rate. Articles so cast have relatively smooth outer surfaces which require only finish machining.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture in the form of an annular ductile iron piece at least a portion of which has its carbon content in the form of flattened bodies disposed in planes parallel to the central axis of the piece and normal to the outer surface of the piece, the iron grains of the piece being extended significantly both in a direction parallel to the central axis and in directions which are transverse to the central axis and parallel to planes occupied by the flattened carbon bodies, the outer surface of the piece being smooth and uninterrupted without machining and the article being free from structural failure discontinuities.

Abstract: Annular articles are produced by cold extruding a tubular ductile cast iron piece through a female die to desirably change the shape of at least an axial portion of the piece. The invention is based on the discovery that the nodular carbon content of ductile cast iron, amounting to, e.g., 10-12% by volume, represents voids of no structural strength in the metal and aids in working the metal in the cold, without damage, to that extent required for extrusion. Application of an extrusion load adequate to bring the metal to the yield point results in all of the metal in the die exhibiting plastic flow. Since the metal is in an annular configuration of decreasing diameter during extrusion, it is subjected to large hoop compression forces which cause the carbon modules to flatten and be arranged in planes which, in the case of an article of circular transverse cross section, are substantially radial relative to the extrusion axis. The iron grains are similarly reshaped and oriented.

Abstract: Tubular metal articles are produced by centrifugal casting in a rotary metal mold lined by centrifugally distributing a quantity of a dry finely particulate free flowing refractory material on the active mold surface with the quantity being in excess of that required for the lining, densifying the layer by rotating the mold at a rate such that the refractory layer is subjected to centrifugal force adequate to establish an equivalent specific gravity of at least 7.5, determined by multiplying the actual specific gravity of the refractory material by the number of gravities of centrifugal force, contouring the densified layer and removing the excess refractory material, rotating the mold at the casting rate and then introducing the molten metal for casting while continuing to rotate the mold at least that rate. Articles so cast have relatively smooth outer surfaces which require only finish machining.