Casting aluminum ladles - GIF

[Altair]

Casting aluminum ladles.




Previously:

Casting aluminum ladles - GIF
Ladle making tips - video
Japanese sauce ladle - GIF
Third world spoon manufacturing - video
Spin casting a metal part - GIF

[nova_robotics]

What's the black stuff on the inside? Cast iron with lumpy refractory on the outside? Carbon? Some other magic?

[odd one]

What ever it is it seems to be doing a pretty slick job. Looked like a nice surface finish. If it was cast iron, I would imagine the molds needing to be preheated.

[nova_robotics]

What ever it is it seems to be doing a pretty slick job. Looked like a nice surface finish. If it was cast iron, I would imagine the molds needing to be preheated.

It's a beauty. And it seals really well too. No flash at the seam between the two dies. I have piles and piles of aluminum chips and would love to try my hand at aluminum casting. And this guy seems to be doing it right.

[desbromilow]

wasn't there a link between aluminium cookware and parkinsons found about 30 years ago?

[phred]

the link was debunked when they discovered the brain matter being investigated was stored in aluminium containers.

[nova_robotics]

I don't know about that. Aluminum is a heavy metal and a fairly well established neurotoxin. I think the link to aluminum cookware is a bit dubious though. If you want to point fingers at aluminum exposure, look at the anode in your water heater. And buy aluminum free deodorant.

[mlochala]

Is that concrete they are using for the molds? Interesting.

[Frank S]

I don't know about that. Aluminum is a heavy metal and a fairly well established neurotoxin. I think the link to aluminum cookware is a bit dubious though. If you want to point fingers at aluminum exposure, look at the anode in your water heater. And buy aluminum free deodorant.

The jury on the benefits and or dangers of aluminum exposure to humans may never be completely resolved. I think there are numerous formulations of aluminum salts and substances containing aluminum recognized by the FDA as being both beneficial and hazardous to humans in various concentrations. Many municipalities use one aluminum salt or another in water treatment Aluminum chloralhydrate for one, has been used in anti perspirants for as long as they have been around some people have been found to be more susceptible than others to the possible toxicity of the substance. On the other side of the coin some societies have used aluminum cooking and eating utensils almost exclusively for over 100 years with little or no known detrimental effects to their health. I think and this is just a personal opinion that the physiology and cultural differences of people around the world has as much to do with the possible toxic effects of all substances is largely due to our genetic make up.

[mwmkravchenko]

Coating is definitely a graphite based refractory coating. This is really cool. I have done a lot of aluminum, casting is years past and I am impressed with this. A porous concrete probably a refractory concrete is the exterior of the mold. I will see if I can dig up anything on this idea. Got me thinking! Concrete on it's own made from portland cement ios not something that will last very long. It has a lot of water bound up in it's chemistry. Makes for molds that are quite short lived.

As for melting chips. Unless you have seriously compacted them into some solid form have fun with that. So much surface area for oxide to make your life hard. If you have a press and a way to make hockey pucks you might be able to make it work.