Implementation of Metal Casting Best Practices - EERE - U.S. ...

Glossary
Aluminum casting alloys – Super-purity or commercial-purity aluminum to which metallic
additions were made. The additions, which are called alloying elements, are made to provide
benefits such as an increase in mechanical properties. The most important alloying elements for
aluminum include magnesium, copper, silicon, manganese and zinc. 68
Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD) - A refining treatment used to control the carbon
content of steel. 69
Best Practice - A technique or methodology that, through experience and research, has been
proven to lead to a desired result. In this report, there are two types of best practices: 1) ITP
metal casting research outcomes once proven on the plant floor, and 2) best practices
recommended by the ITP BestPractices subprogram (and IAC recommendations).
Billet - A cylinder of alloy made from ingots by hot forming (rolling or forging). A billet can be
of any metal and alloy.
Captive Foundry - A foundry operation that is wholly incorporated into a larger manufacturing
operation. A captive foundry only produces castings for the operation of which it is a part of. 70
Clamping capacity - The force a die casting machine is capable of applying against the platen to
hold the die closed during metal injection. 71
Coke - A porous, gray, infusible product resulting from the dry distillation of bituminous coal
that drives off the volatile matter. Coke is mainly used as a fuel in blast furnaces and some
cupolas. Petroleum coke results from distillation of petroleum and pitch coke from distillation of
coal tar pitch. 72
Cope - The upper or topmost horizontal section of a flask, mold or pattern. 73
Crucible Furnace - A furnace in which metal is melted in crucibles. 74 The furnace is typically
fueled with coke, oil, gas, or electricity.
Cupola - A cylindrical, straight-shaft furnace (usually lined with refractory materials) used for
melting in direct contact with coke by forcing air under pressure through openings near its
base. 75
Diecasting - (noun) Casting resulting from diecasting process. (verb) A process in which molten
metal is injected at high velocity and pressure into a mold (die) cavity. 76
Drag - The bottom half of a horizontally parted mold.
Dross - Metal oxides, etc. on or in a metal or alloy. 77
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