High temperature strength of ceramic moulds applied in the investment casting method

Ceramic casting moulds strength is an important factor, which influences the quality and properties of castings being produced by the investment casting method. It is especially important during mould pouring with liquid metal. Studies allowing determining the casting mould strength at high temperatures, that means at the ones at which the moulds are poured, are not numerous. None generally accepted (normalized) method for the assessment of such strength exists in practice. The new method of the ceramic moulds tensile strength investigation at high temperatures is described in the paper. Tests were performed at temperatures from 100 to 1100ºC. The ceramic moulding sand was prepared of modern materials: colloidal silica – being a binder – and highly refractory ceramic materials.