INVESTMENT CASTING PROCESS: 3D TEMPERATURE MAP RECONSTRUCTION OF A CERAMIC SHELL MOLD

The purpose of this work is to experimentally reconstruct the 3D temperature map of a ceramic shell mold and to investigate its time-dependent thermal behavior during the final part of the investment casting process. The investment casting process is the most used technique to produce very reliable components. Nowadays, there are still too much failing processes that are unacceptable in terms of both plant downtime and material waste. These failing processes are mainly caused by a non-uniform cooling that can promote thermal gradients in the components leading to a generation of residual thermal stresses. The experimental 3D temperature map reconstruction and its time-dependent behavior are analyzed through the Infrared Thermography technique. Such a reconstruction allows to observe the presence of strong temperature gradients and quantify them. In the present case, the central part of the investigated ceramic shell mold shows strong temperature gradient. This central part is of extreme importance because of the presence of the blades housings. The temperature difference present on the blades housings increases with time leading to stronger temperature gradient.