This study will review the main results of a former European CRAFT Project, which focused on reduction of defects like firestain, hot cracking and porosity. The basic defect mechanisms will be explained, major sources identified and practical measures to avoid the related casting defects will be suggested. Concrete case studies on these defects and examples for successful industrial implementation of some suggested measures will be presented. The project has been carried out in cooperation with six investment casting companies from four European countries, an investment casting equipment manufacturer, an alloy manufacturer, as well as three further European research organizations. The results have been worked out based on defect case studies, lab casting trials, computer simulation and, eventually, industrial casting trials based on obtained results and worked-out concrete recommendations. The study's challenges and results will be presented in detail.

Author: Dr. Jörg Fischer-Bühner