Freeze casting is a scientific manufacturing process that is also known as freeze-gelation. It is a casting technique that is a form of processing sol-gel to turn it into ceramic products. It is a freeze casting manufacturing technique for creating high-heat resistant products and parts. The most common types of products that are created from the casting process include automotive parts, products for hard working surfaces, tool dies and casting products.
In essence, the freeze casting process turns a powder metal into a strong and solid cast. This particular casting process occurs at freezing temperatures, which is a considerably cheaper process than the sintering or wax process of casting, which are two other techniques for casting.
The process of freeze casting begins with water and rubber molds in the shape of the product that is being created or manufactured. The water is added to the rubber molds and frozen in order to create a temporary ice pattern. These ice molds are then transferred into what are known as ceramic slurries, which are used to make the shell of the part that is being made. The ceramic shells or slurries are then filled with silica, water and a powdered metal mix in order to create the final mold of the item.
Ingredients that can be used as part of the freeze casting process include copper, gray iron, aluminum ductile iron and steel. Ideally, freeze casted items are those that have to resist very high heat. For example, automotive parts typically get extremely hot when the vehicle is in use, so any vehicle parts that are made from the freeze casting process would be able to sustain the very high heat that comes from operating vehicles.
This form of casting offers several advantages over other types of scientific manufacturing processes of various items. First, the freeze casting process is a less expensive, less complex and safer process than using a casting machine. Second, the casting process also offers more versatility because complex shapes of casts can be created using this process, which other types of processes do not offer.
Another advantage of freeze casting is that the castings are lightweight, have more accurate dimensions and a nicer surface finish than machine created molds and products. Compared to other processes, such as sand casting, lost foam techniques or lost wax techniques, freeze casting costs about half the price.
By Kristie Lorette