Process for combined casting and heat treatment

摘要

A foamed pattern of a desired part is first formed. The pattern is then dipped into a ceramic slurry and the slurry dried in order to form a shell containing the foamed pattern. A heated bed of a particulate medium is formed around the ceramic shell which causes the pattern to evaporate and form a mold. A molten metal is then introduced into the mold and solidified while being held at an elevated temperature for a period of time to accomplish a desired heat treatment of the metal. With this method, the casting does not have to be subsequently heat treated in a separate operation. It can be removed as an as cast casting, having the desired microstructures.