The article presents the new technology of the refractory materials used for the ladles and pouring devices. The aim for solving the majority of the problems that originated from the refractory lining was to develop the group of cement-free TRIAD products by Vesuvius company. The cement-free setting system in the TRIAD products eliminates calcium oxide (CaO) that occurs in low and extra low cement concretes resulting in its higher strength at higher temperatures. The features of the new cement-free castables were described. One of the most unique features of this technology is the porous material structure. Small venting microchannels are formed during the concrete setting process. These micro-channels allow for removing water vapor from the lining without affecting its refractory properties. On the other hand, the diameter of pores is so low that it disallows the penetration of slag and metal into the lining, extends its operating life at the same time facilitates cleaning and removing build-ups. The procedure of the preparation of these materials, as well as the method of building of the lining, were presented. An example of the practical use of these materials in the ductile cast iron foundry was presented, showing the advantages of the new refractory materials over the traditional ones.

Foundry technologists use their own style of gating system designing. Most of their patterns are caused by experience. The designs differ from plant to plant and give better or worse results. This shows that the theory of gating systems is not brought into general use sufficiently and therefore not applied in practise very often. Hence, this paper describes the theory and practical development of one part of gating systems - sprue base for automated horizontal moulding lines used for iron castings. Different geometries of sprue bases with gating system and casting were drawn in Solid Edge ST9. The metal flow through the gating systems was then simulated with use of MAGMA Express 5.3.1.0, and the results were achieved. The quality of flow was considered in a few categories: splashes, air entrapment, vortex generation and air contact. The economical aspect (weight of runner) was also taken under consideration. After quantitative evaluation, the best shape was chosen and optimised in other simulations with special attention on its impact on filling velocity and mould erosion. This design (a sprue base with notch placed in drag and cope) is recommended to be used in mass production iron foundries to reduce oxide creation in liquid metal and especially to still metal stream to improve filtration.

The subject of this paper was to compare the influence of selected coatings on bending strength of moulds and cores manufactured in a furan technology. In a range of study, there were used three kinds of coatings - water based coating and two kind of alcohol based coating manufactured by FOSECO. Coating were applicated by brush, overpouring/flow and spraying. For each application method, there were realized different kind of drying- at ambient temperature, in a furnace and by burning. Physicochemical properties of coatings were such selected to accommodate them to the application method and type of coating. Based on the conducted studies it was observed that for water based coating application method doesn’t have an important influence on bending strength and it is necessary to optimize the time and temperature of drying to achieve better results of bending strength. For alcohol based coatings, drying by burning causes significant deterioration of bending strength of the mould and core and drying process at ambient allows to obtain high bending strength of mould/cores in regard to time of drying.

Metal alloys with matrix based on an Fe-Al system are generally considered materials for high-temperature applications. Their main advantages are compact crystallographic structure, long-range ordering and structural stability at high temperatures. These materials are based on an intermetallic phase of FeAl or Fe3Al, which is stable in the range from room temperature up to the melting point of 1240°C. Their application at high temperatures is also beneficial because of the low cost of production, very good resistance to oxidation and corrosion, and high mechanical strength. The casting alloy the structure of which includes the FeAl phase is, among others, highaluminium cast iron. This study has been devoted to the determination of the effect of vanadium and titanium on the transformation of the high-aluminium cast iron structure into an in-situ FeAl-VC composite.

The modification is a widespread method of improving the strength properties of cast iron. The impact in terms of increasing amounts of

eutectic grains has been thoroughly studied while the issue of the impact on the mechanical properties of primary austenite grains has not

been studied in depth yet. The paper presents the study of both aspects. The methodology was to conduct the melting cast iron with flake

graphite, then modifying the alloy by two sets of modifiers: the commercial modifier, and a mixture of iron powder with a commercial

inoculant. The DAAS test was carried out to identify the primary austenite grains. The degree of supercooling was determined and the

UTS test was performed as well. Additionally carried out the metallographic specimen allowing for counting grains. It can be concluded

that the introduction of the iron powder significantly improved the number of austenite primary grains which resulted in an increase

in tensile strength UTS.