About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Aluminum Cast Shop Technology Symposium and Supplier Forum
|
| Presentation Title |
Using Spent Filter Analysis to Diagnose Inclusion Sources and Reduce Defects in Aluminum Cast Houses |
| Author(s) |
Jason D. Lachance, Drew Arvan |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Jason D. Lachance |
| Abstract Scope |
Non-metallic inclusions remain a leading cause of defects, yield loss, and cost in aluminum cast houses. While ceramic foam filters (CFFs) are widely used, their potential as diagnostic tools for assessing upstream melt quality is underutilized. This study evaluates spent CFFs as a data-rich method for characterizing inclusion populations and melt cleanliness.
Post-use filters from multiple cast houses were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Inclusion morphology and chemistry within the metal retained in the filter were used to classify oxide films, spinels, refractory fragments, and flux-related phases. Results were correlated with upstream variables including furnace practices, alloy chemistry, and metal handling.
Spent filters are a largely untapped record of melt quality, enabling identification of dominant and transient inclusion sources. Case studies demonstrate how this approach supports targeted process improvements, reducing defect rates and enhancing cast house performance |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Light Metals |
| Keywords |
Aluminum, Other, Recycling and Secondary Recovery |