A refractory metal core (RMC) finishing method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, performing a plurality of finishing operations on a plurality of RMC samples, analyzing one or more properties of at least a portion of the plurality of RMC samples and selecting a combination of finishing operations for generating an RMC having desirable properties for manufacturing a part free from defects.

A refractory metal core (RMC) finishing method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, performing a plurality of finishing operations on a plurality of RMC samples, analyzing one or more properties of at least a portion of the plurality of RMC samples and selecting a combination of finishing operations for generating an RMC having desirable properties for manufacturing a part free from defects.

A method of forming a cast component and a method of forming a casting mold is described herein. The ceramic core-shell mold includes at least first core portion, a first shell portion, and at least one first cavity between the core portion and the first shell portion. The core-shell mold may be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process and may include an integrated ceramic filter. At least a portion of the ceramic core-shell mold and the wax gate component is coated with a second ceramic material. The wax gate component is then removed to form a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity.

A method of forming a cast component and a method of forming a casting mold is described herein. The ceramic core-shell mold includes at least first core portion, a first shell portion, and at least one first cavity between the core portion and the first shell portion. The core-shell mold may be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process and may include an integrated ceramic filter. At least a portion of the ceramic core-shell mold and the wax gate component is coated with a second ceramic material. The wax gate component is then removed to form a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity.

The application discloses a preparation method for an aluminum alloy cavity casting filled with special-shaped foamed aluminum. The preparation method includes: preparing special-shaped foamed aluminum in a first mold by adopting a powder metallurgy foaming method; fixing the special-shaped foamed aluminum coated with the soldering flux in a second mold after the special-shaped foamed aluminum is coated with soldering flux; and casting by using molten aluminum alloy. According to the preparation method for the aluminum alloy cavity casting filled with the special-shaped foamed aluminum, the overall strength of the casting can be improved while the wall thickness of the casting is reduced to meet the requirement that the overall quality of the casting is not increased.

The application discloses a preparation method for an aluminum alloy cavity casting filled with special-shaped foamed aluminum. The preparation method includes: preparing special-shaped foamed aluminum in a first mold by adopting a powder metallurgy foaming method; fixing the special-shaped foamed aluminum coated with the soldering flux in a second mold after the special-shaped foamed aluminum is coated with soldering flux; and casting by using molten aluminum alloy. According to the preparation method for the aluminum alloy cavity casting filled with the special-shaped foamed aluminum, the overall strength of the casting can be improved while the wall thickness of the casting is reduced to meet the requirement that the overall quality of the casting is not increased.

The application discloses a preparation method for an aluminum alloy cavity casting filled with special-shaped foamed aluminum. The preparation method includes: preparing special-shaped foamed aluminum in a first mold by adopting a powder metallurgy foaming method; fixing the special-shaped foamed aluminum coated with the soldering flux in a second mold after the special-shaped foamed aluminum is coated with soldering flux; and casting by using molten aluminum alloy. According to the preparation method for the aluminum alloy cavity casting filled with the special-shaped foamed aluminum, the overall strength of the casting can be improved while the wall thickness of the casting is reduced to meet the requirement that the overall quality of the casting is not increased.

A ceramic core (40) for an investment casting process (80) including a subsurface internal channel (50) for the introduction of leachate (98) to improve the effectiveness of a leaching process used to remove the core (94) from a cast alloy component (100). The subsurface internal channel may be completely hollow, or it may include one or more ribs (54). The core may be formed (82) using a 3D printing process wherein a carrier material (68) is deposited in a central region of the channel for the purpose of supporting an overlying layer (62) of core material, with the carrier material later being removed to reveal the hollow internal channel (52).

A ceramic core (40) for an investment casting process (80) including a subsurface internal channel (50) for the introduction of leachate (98) to improve the effectiveness of a leaching process used to remove the core (94) from a cast alloy component (100). The subsurface internal channel may be completely hollow, or it may include one or more ribs (54). The core may be formed (82) using a 3D printing process wherein a carrier material (68) is deposited in a central region of the channel for the purpose of supporting an overlying layer (62) of core material, with the carrier material later being removed to reveal the hollow internal channel (52).

A method for producing a flexible tooling liner for casting a ceramic core is presented. The method includes the steps of producing a three-dimensional (3D) reference object representative of a ceramic core to be cast, disposing the reference object into a containment vessel configured to receive a liquid flexible tooling material, filling the containment vessel with the liquid tooling material so that the reference object is encapsulated by the liquid tooling material on the surface whose topography is intended to be imparted, allowing the liquid tooling material to cure, and separating the cured flexible tooling along a parting surface into opposing portions and removing the reference the reference object.