Molten aluminium attack on iron based alloys

Liquid aluminium alloys affect the moulds, by formation of intermetallic layers at their surface; such attack is enhanced by the flow of the molten metal on the surface of the tooling. Metal tooling are used to promote high heat transfer rates and increase the solidification rate to enhance mechanical properties in cast pieces, but the damage to their surface affects their quality and increases the production costs due to the need to repair them. This work presents the results of a series of studies conducted to evaluate the attack produced by molten aluminium on samples of iron based materials commonly used in the manufacture of dies and moulds. The studies were conducted in a machine that imposes a rotating movement to experimental specimens to simulate the flow of liquid metal. The damage observed in the samples was compared to that experienced by tooling in the melt shop.