Effect of Interactions between Bubbles and Graphite Particles in Copper Alloy Melts on Microstructure Formed during Centrifugal Casting: Part 1. Theoretical Analysis

Frequently, particles get associated with gas bubbles in a melt and their interaction influences the final distribution of particles and porosity in the casting. An analytical model for the separation of a particle from a bubble in melts containing dispersed particles and bubbles is proposed. During ccntrifugiil casting of alloys containing dispersed particles, both the particles and gas bubbles present in the melt move with the centrifugal forces. Using the force balance between surface tension and net centrifugal forces (centrifugal force minus buoyancy force), the critical rotational speed of the mold for the separation of the particles and the bubbles during centrifugal casting is calculated. The critical rotational speed of the mold to separate the particle from the bubble is lower for a small particle attached to a larger bubble, as compared to the case when a large particle is attached to a smaller bubble. For a given bubble size, the critical rotational speed of the mold to separate the bubble from the particle decreases with increasing particle size. For the specific case of spherical 5-(mu)m radius graphite particles dispersed in copper alloy melt, it was found that even at a low semiapical angle of about 9 deg, the critical rotational speed needs to be around 5000 rpm for a bubble size of 500-)mu)m radius and 0.09-m-diameter mold. The rotational speed decreases to 1000 rpm when the graphite particle radius increases to 100 (mu)m for the same bubble size in copper alloy melt.