Casting method, cast article, and casting system

摘要

A component is cast by providing a first material 101 in a mould 110, directing a fluid second material 103 into the mould 110 and solidifying the materials. The two materials have different densities and/or compositions. Either a bottom-fed mould (figures 1 & 2) or a top-fed mould (figures 3 & 4) can be used and cooling of the mould 110 can be controlled to form more equiaxed grains than directionally solidified grains (figures 1 & 3) or more directionally solidified grains than equiaxed grains (figures 2 & 4). Bottom-fed moulds can comprise a flow restrictor 114 in a passage feeding the mould 110 to thereby reduce turbulent flow in the mould 110. Top-fed moulds can comprise a funnel 312 resting within the upper part of the mould 110 with the funnel 312 having a curved lip for directing material onto the inner surface of the mould. The inner surface of the top-fed mould 110 comprises a plurality of semi-circular projections 314 orientated horizontally to reduce turbulent flow. The method can be used to make components from two or more different superalloys.