AU2013203656B2 - Method of unidirectionbal solidification of castings and associated apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Molten metal is injected uniformly into a mold from a feed chamber in a horizontal or vertical direction at a controlled rate, directly on top of the metal already within the mold. A cooling medium is applied to the bottom surface of the substrate, with the type and flow rate of the cooling medium being varied to produce a controlled cooling rate throughout the casting process. The rate of introduction of molten metal and the flow rate of the cooling medium are both controlled to produce a relatively uniform solidification rate within the mold, thereby producing a uniform microstructure throughout the casting, and low stresses throughout the casting.; A multiple layer ingot product is also provided comprising a base alloy layer and at least a first additional alloy layer, the two layers having different alloy compositions, where the first additional alloy layer is bonded directly to the base alloy layer by applying the first additional alloy in the molten state to the surface of the base alloy while the surface temperature of the base alloy is lower than the liquidus temperature and greater than eutectic temperature of the base alloy - 50 degrees Celsuis.

Description

METHOD OF UNIDIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION OF CASTINGS AND ASSOCIATED APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF T.HE INVENTION 5 1. Cross-Reference to Related Applications [0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application Serial No. 11/179,835, filed July 12, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 2. Field of the Invention 10002] The present invention relates to casting methods. More specifically, the 10 present invention provides an apparatus and method of unidirectionally solidifying castings to provide a uniform solidification rate, thereby providing an ingot cast having a uniform microstructure and lower internal stresses. 3. Description of the Related Art [0003] Various methods of directional solidification of castings within a mold have 15 been attempted in an effort to improve the properties of castings. {0004] An example of a presently available directional solidification method includes U.S. Patent No. 4,210,193, issued to v. Rtihle on July 1, 1980, disclosing a method of producing an aluminum silicone casting, The molten material is poured into a mold having a bottom formed by a tin plate. A stream of water is applied to the bottom of the tin plate, and 20 a thermocouple inserted through the tin plate into the casting is used to monitor the temperature of the casting, and thereby properly control the cooling stream, Cooling is stopped when the temperature in the bottom portion of the mold falls from 575 "F to 475 *F, until heat from the surrounding melt increases this region to 540 *F, When the aluminum silicone alloy is removed from the mold, the tin plate has become a part of the casting. The 25 result is a fine grain structure in the lower portion of the casting. This method fails to produce a uniform structure with low stresses, and would likely result in waste due to the necessity of cutting away the tin plate if it is not to form a part of the final casting. [0005] U.S. Patent No. 4,585,047, issued to H. Kawal et a]. on April 29, 1986, discloses an apparatus for cooling molten metal within a mold. The apparatus includes a pipe 30 within the mold through which a cooling liquid is passed. The pipe is located in a lower portion of the mold, resulting in directional solidification of the metal from the bottom of the mold to the top. Once the casting is solidified, the excess portion of the casting is cut away

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from the casting, and then melted away from the pipe so that the pipe can be reused. The necessity of cutting away the portion of the casting surrounding the pipe results in added manufacturing steps and waste. The apparatus further fails to provide for a uniform strUcture within the casting or the low stresses within the casting that would result from a directional 5 solidification. [0006] U.S. Patent No. 4,969,502, issued to Eric L. Mawer on November 13, 1990, discloses an apparatus for casting of metals. The apparatus includes an elongated pouring device structured to pour molten metal against a vertical plate, thereby dissipating the energy of the flowing molten metal. Alternatively, a pair of elongated pouring devices are used to 10 pour molten metal towards each other, so that the interaction of the two strains of metal flowing towards each other dissipates the energy of the metal. The result is a reduced wave action within the mold, so that the cooled casting has a more uniform thickness. The apparatus fails to provide for a uniform structure within the casting. It also fails to provide low stresses within the casting. 15 [0007] U.S. Patent No. 5,020,583, issued to M. K. Aghajanian et al. on June 4, 1991, describes the directional solidification of metal matrix composites. Thc method includes placing a metal ingot above a mass of filler material and then melting the metal so that the metal infiltrates the filler material. The metal may be alloyed with infiltration enhancers such as magnesium, and the heating may be done within a nitrogen gas environment to further 20 facilitate infiltration, After infiltration, the resulting metal matrix is cooled by placing it on top of a heat sink, with insulation placed around the cooling metal matrix, thereby resulting in directional solidification of tbe molten alloy. This patent fails to provide for control of the rate of solidification, for a uniform structure within the casting, or for low stresses within the casting, 25 [0008] U.S. Patent No. 5,074,353, issued to A. Ohno on December 24, 1991, discloses an apparatus and method for horizontal continuous casting of metal. The system includes a holding furnace connected to a hot mold having an open section at its inlet end. Heating elements around the sides and bottom of the hot mold heat the mold to a temperature that is at least the solidification temperature of the casting metal. A cooling spray is applied 30 to the top of the hot mold, A dummy member secured between upper and lower pinch rollers is reciprocated into and out of the outlet end of the mold to draw out the metal as it is solidified. The method of this patent is likely to result in waste due to the need to separate the casting from the dummy metal. The apparatus fTither fails to provide for a uniform 2 structure within the casting or the low stresses with the casting that would result from a directional solidification. [0009] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method of unidirectional solidifying of casting, providing for a relatively uniform, controlled cooling rate. Such a method would result in greater uniformity within the crystal structure of the casting, with lower stresses within the casting, and a reduced tendency towards cracking. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] A multiple layer cast ingot formed by a method of unidirectionally solidifying a casting across the thickness of the casting, at a controlled solidification rate is provided. The method is particularly useful for casting commercial size ingots of 2xxx series aluminum alloys cladded with a lxxx alloy and a 3xxx alloy cladded with a 4xxx alloy. For purposes of this description, thickness is defined as the thinnest dimension of the casting. [0011] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of casting metal, comprising: providing a mold having a bottom surface and four sides defining a mold cavity therein, with a first molten metal inlet structured to introduce a first molten metal horizontally and directly onto the bottom surface of the mold and above the metal already within the mold cavity subsequently; introducing molten metal into the mold cavity through the inlet; continually to introduce molten metal to the metal already within the mold cavity until the desired thickness; and simultaneously directing a cooling medium against the bottom surface of the substrate; whereby the molten metal is cooled unidirectionally through its thickness. [0012] Deleted [0013] Deleted [0014] Molten metal is introduced substantially uniformly through the gates. At the same time, a cooling medium is applied uniformly over the bottom area of the mold. The rate at which molten metal flows into the mold, and the rate at which coolant is applied to the mold, are both controlled to provide a relatively constant rate of solidification. The coolant may begin as air, and then gradually be changed from air to an air-water mist, and then to water. After the molten metal at the bottom of the mold solidifies, the bottom of the substrate may be moved so that the solid section underneath the mold is replaced by a 3 section having openings, thereby permitting the coolant to directly contact the solidified metal, and maintain a desired cooling rate. In the case of a perforated plate substrate, the mold bottom need not be removed. [0015] Accordingly, the present invention desirably provides an improved method of directionally solidifying castings during cooling. [0016] The invention desirably also provides a method of maintaining a relatively constant solidification rate during the solidification of the casting. [0017] It is desirable that the invention provides a casting method having minimized waste. [0018] It is also desirable that the invention provides a casting method resulting in a uniform crystal structure within the material. [0019] It is further desirable that the invention provides a casting method resulting in lower stresses and a reduced probability of cracking and/or shrinkage voids within the casting. [0020] It is additionally desirable that the invention provides a method for producing a cladding around the casting, with the cladding having better adhesion than prior claddings. [0021] The invention also further desirably provides a method for producing a multiple layer ingot product having at least two layers. [0022] 'Comprises/comprising' when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. [0023] These and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent through the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0024] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Other examples are possible, and consequently the particularity of the accompanying drawings is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention in the drawings. 4 [0025] Figure 1 is a top isometric view of a mold according to the present invention, showing the solid portion of the conveyor below the mold. [0026] Figure 2 is a partially sectional isometric top view of a mold according to the present invention, taken along the lines 2-2 in Figure 1. [0027] Figure 3 is an isometric top view of a mold according to the present invention, showing the mesh portion of the conveyor below the mold. [0028] Figure 4 is a partially sectional isometric top view of a mold according to the present invention, taken along the lines 4-4 in Figure 3. [0029] Figure 5 is a top view of a gate according to the present invention. [0030] Figure 6 is a front view of a gate according to the present invention. [0031] Figure 7 is a side view of a gate according to the present invention. [0032] Figure 8 is a side isometric, partially cutaway view of another embodiment of a mold according to the present invention. [0033] Figure 9 is a cutaway side isometric view of another alternative embodiment of a mold according to the present invention. [0034] Figure 10 is a side isometric view of the mold according to Figure 9. 5 {0035] Figure II is a graph showing temperature of the casting with respect to time during an example solidification process. [0036] Figure 12 is a graph showing cross-sectional stress distribution across an ingot made according to the present invention. 5 [0037] Figure 13 is a graph showing stress at various locations within an ingot cast using prior art methods. [0038] Figure 14 is a cutaway isometric view of yet another embodiment of a mold and transfer chamber according to the present invention. 10039] Figure 15 is a cutaway front isometric view of a mold cavity for a mold 10 according to the present invention. 100401 Figure 16 is a top isometric view of a mold according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing the perforated portion of the conveyor below the mold. 10041] Figure 17 is a partially sectional isometric top view of the mold shown in Figure 16, taken along the lines 16-16 in Figure 16, 15 [0042] Figure 18 is a partially sectional isometric top view of the mold shown in Figure 16, where the mes h portion of the conveyor is below the mold. [0043] Figure 19A is a perspective view of a three layer multiple ingot for a skin sheet product having a 2024 alloy sandwiched between two layers of 1050 alloy. [0044] Figure 19B is a micrograph of the boxed portion of Figure 19A that shows the 20 interface between the 2024 alloy and 1050 alloy. [0045] Figure 20A is a perspective view of a three layer multiple ingot for a brazing sheet product having a 3003 alloy sandwiched between two layers of 4343 alloy, [0046] Figure 20B is a micrograph of the boxed portion of Figure 20A that shows the interface between the 3003 alloy and 4343 alloy, 25 [0047 Like reference characters denote like elements throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THET PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0048] The present invention provides an apparatus and method of unidirectionally solidifying a casting, while also providing for a controlled, uniform solidification rate. 30 10049] Referring to Figures 1-4, a mold 10 includes four sides 12, 14, 16, 18, respectively, with a mold cavity 19 defined therein, The sides 12, 14, 16, 18 are preferably insulated. A bottom 20 may be formed by a conveyor having a solid portion 22 and a mesh portion 24. The conveyor 20 is continuous, wrapping around the rollers 26, 28, 30, 32, 6 respectively, so that either of the sold portion 22 or mesh portion 24 may selectively be placed under the sides 12, 14, 16, 18. The conveyor may be made from any rigid material having a high thermal conductivity, with examples including copper, aluninu, stainless steel, and Inconal. Note that the mesh portion 24 is a setion having openings, 5 [00501 A molten metal feed chamber 34 defined by sides 36, 38, 40 is defined along the side 12. Likewise, a similar molten metal feed chamber 42 is defined by the sides 44, 46, 48, along side the sides 16. Some embodiments of the present invention may only have one molten metal feed chamber, and others may have multiple molten metal feed chambers. A feed trough 50, 52 extends from a molten metal furnace (not shown, and well known in the 10 art of casting) to a location directly above each of the molten metal feed chambers, 34, 42, respectively, A spout 54 extends from the feed trough 50 to the molten metal feed chamber 34. Likewise, a spout 56 extends from the feed trough 52 to the molten metal feed chamliber 42, [0051] The side 12 includes one or more gates 58, 60 structured to control the flow of 15 molten metal from the feed chamber 34 to the mold cavity 19. Likewise, the side 16 includes gates 62, 64, structured to control the flow of molten metal from the feed chamber 42 into the mold cavity 19. The gates 58, 60, 62, 64 are substantially identical, and are best illustrated in Figures 5-7. The gate 58 includes a pair of walls 66, 68 defining a substantially cylindrical channel 70 therebetween. The channel 70 includes open sides 72, 74, on opposing 20 sides of the walls 66, 68 A cylindrical gate member 76 is disposed within the channel 70. The cylindrical gate member 76 is substantially solidand defines a helical slot 78 about its circumference. The channel 70, cylindrical gate member 76, and helical slot 78 are structured so that molten metal is permitted to flow through a portion of the helical slot 78 that is directly adjacent to one of the walls 66, 68, and molten metal is resisted from passing 25 through any other portion of the gate 53. A drive mechanism 80 is operatively connected to the cylindrical gate member 76, for controlling the rotation of the cylindrical gate member 76. Appropriate drive mechanisms 80 are well known to those skilled in the art, and will therefore not be described in great detail herein. The drive mechanism 80, may, for example, include an electrical motor connected through a gearing system to the cylindrical gate 30 member 76, with the electrical motor being controlled either through manual switching by an operator observing the casting process, or by an appropriate microprocesso. [0052) Referring back to Figures 1-4, a coolant manifold 82 is disposed within the conveyor 20, and is structured to spray a coolant against the bottom surface 22, 24, of the 7 mold cavity 19. A preferred coolant manifold 82 is structured to supply air, water, or a mixture thereof, depending upon the desired rate of cooling, (0053] In use, the conveyor 20 will be in the position illustrated in Figures 1-2, with the solid portion 22 directly under the mold cavity 19, Molten metal will be introduced from 5 the feed trough 50, through the spout 54, into the feed chamber 34. The gates 58, 60 will have their cylindrical gate members 76 rotated so that the lowest portion of the helical slot 78 is adjacent to the wall 66 or the wall 68, thereby permitting molten metal to enter the mold cavity 19 by flowing substantially horizontally onto the conveyor surface 22. At the same time, air wilI be sprayed from the coolant manifold 82 onto the underside of the surface 22. 10 As the mold cavity 19 is filled with molten metal, the cylindrical gate members 76 will be rotated so that increasingly elevated portions of the helical slot 78 are adjacent to either of the walls 66. 68, so that, as the level of metal within the mold cavity 19 is raised, the portion of the helical slot 78 through which molten metal is permitted to pass will be raised a corresponding amount so that the flow of molten metal from the chamber 34 to the mold 15 cavity 19 is always horizontal, and always on top of the metal that is already within the mold cavity 19. The horizontal flow of metal into the mold cavity 19 will pemit the molten metal to properly find its own level, thereby insuring a substantially even thickness of molten metal within the mold cavity 19. [00541 As additional metal is added to the mold cavity 19, the cooling rate for the 20 metal within the mold cavity 19 will slow. To maintain a substantially constant cooling rate, the mixture of coolant from the coolant manifold 82 will be changed from air to an air-water mist containing increasing quantities of water, and eventually to all water. Additionally, as the metal at the bottom portion of the mold cavity 19 solidifies, the conveyor 20 will be advanced so that the mesh 24 instead of the solid portion 22 forms the bottom of the mold 10, 25 thereby permitting coolant to directly contact the solidified metal, as shown in Figures 3-4. Additionally, the rate of metal addition into the mold cavity 19 may be slowed by controlling either the rotation of the cylindrical gate members 76 of the gates 58, 60, and/or the rate of introduction of metal into the feed chamber 34 from the feed trough 50. Typically, the cooling rate will remain between about 0.5*Fsec. to about 3*F/sec., with the cooling rate 30 typically decreasing from 3 0 F/sec. at the beginning of casting to about 0,5*F/sec. towards the completion of casting. Likewise, the rate at which molten metal is hitroduced into the nold cavity 19 will typically be slowed from an initial rate of about 4 in./min, to a final rate of 0.5 in./min. as casting progresses. 8 [0055] If desired, a second alloy may be introduced into the feed chamber 42 from the feed trough 52, and through the spout 56. This second alloy may be used to form a cladding around the first alloy. For example, the cladding may be a corrosion resistant layer, One example of a cladding may be formed by first introducing an alloy from the feed chamber 42, 5 through the gates 62, 64, into the mold cavity 19 by rotating the cylindrical gate members 76 of the gates 62, 64, so that metal flows from the bottom portion of the helical channel 78 within these gates into the mold cavity 19, and then closing the gates 62, 64. The cylindrical gate member 76 of the gates 58, 60 are then rotated to permit the flow of molten metal from the feed chamber 34 into the mold cavity 19 at increasingly elevated portions of the helical 10 slot 78, until the mold cavity 19 is filled almost all of the way to the top, at which point the gates 58, 60 are closed. The cylindrical gate members 76 of the gates 62, 64 are then rotated to permit the flow of metal from the feed chamber 42 into the mold cavity 19 at the highest portion of the slots 78 within the cylindrical gate members 76 of the gates 62, 64, thereby permitting this molten metal to flow to the top of the metal already in the mold. The resulting 15 substrate formed from the alloy within the feed chamber 34 will have a cladding on the top and bottom made from the alloy within the feed chamber 42. [OO56] To ensure proper bonding at the interface of any of two successive layer that following procedure must be followed: The temperature of the surface of the base layer after introduction of the new subsequent layer that is a different composition from the base layer 20 must be less than the liquids temperature (T.) and greater than eutectic temperature (T,) 50 'C where the T;q is the liquidus temperature of the base layer and Tcu is the eutectic temperature of the base layer. This procedure is not limited to just cladding, This procedure enable the casting a multiple alloys sequentially to create a multiple layer ingot product. [00571 Another embodiment of a mold 84 is illustrated in Figure 8. The mold 84 25 includes four sides, with three sides 86, 88, 90 illustrated. The sides 86, 88, 90, and the fourth substantially identical but not shown side may be insulated. The bottom of the mold 84 is formed by a cloth 92, which may be made of the same material as the bottom conveyor 20 of the previous embodiment 10. A bottom substrate 94 is structured to move between an upper position illustrated in solid lines in Figure 8, wherein it supports the cloth 92, and a 30 lower position, illustrated in phantom in Figure 8, wherein the substrate is removed from the cloth 92 a sufficient distance so that the spray boxes 96, 98 may be positioned therebetween. The spray boxes 96, 98 are structured to be moved from a position below the cloth 92 to a position wherein movement of the substrate 94 between its upper and lower position is 9 permitted. The spray boxes 96, 98 will therefore supply alr, water, or a mixture of both, or possibly other coolants, to either the bottom of the substrate 94 or the bottom of the cloth 92, depending upon whether the substrate 94 is above or below the spray boxes 96, 98, [00581 In use, the substrate 94 will be in its upper position, supporting the cloth 92. 5 Molten metal will be introduced into the mold 84, with air being applied to the bottom of the substrate 94 to provide cooling. As the mold 84 is filled with molten motel, and the molten metal on the bottom solidifies, the spray boxes 96, 98 will be briefly withdrawn from their position under the substrate 94, thereby permitting the substrate 94 to be removed from its position under the cloth 92. The spray boxes 96, 98 will then be placed back underneath the 10 cloth 92, so that they may apply air, an air/water mixture, or water to the bottom of the cloth 92, with increasing amounts of water being applied to the bottom of the cloth 92 as casting progresses. [0059] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate yet another embodiment of a mold 100 that may be used for a method of the present invention. The mold 100 includes side walls 102, 104, 106, 15 and 108, which may be insulated. The bottom includes a fixed floor plate 110 defining an opening below the walls 102, 104, 106, 108, wherein a removable floorplate 112 may be inserted. The removable floorplate 112 may be made from a material such as copper. The fixed floorplate 110 may in some embodiments define a slot 114 structured to receive the edges of the removable floorplate 112, thereby supporting the removable floorplate 112. The 20 walls 102, 104, 106, 108, and the removable floorplate 112, define a mold cavity 116 therein, [00601 A molteni metal feed chamber 118 is defined by the walls 120, 122, and 124 along with the wall 108 and fixed floorpiate 110. A gate 126 is defined within the wall 108, and in the illustrated examples fonned by a pair of slots defined within the wall 108, A feed trough 128 extends froinm a molten metal funace to a location directly above the molten metal 25 feed chamber 118. A spout 130 extends from the feed trough 128 to the molten metal feed chamber 118. [00611 A coolant manifold 132 is disposed below the removable floorplate 112. The coolant manifold 132 is preferably configured to selectively spray air, water, or a mixture of air and water against the removable floorplate 112. The illustrated embodiment further 30 includes a catch basin 134 disposed below the feed chamber 118. The entire mold 100 is supported on the base 136. [0062] In use, the removable floorplate 112 will be contained within the slot 114. Molten metal will be introduced from the feed trough 128 into the feed chamber 118, until 10 the level of molten metal within the feed chamber 118 reaches the bottom of the slots 126. The slots 126, combined with an appropriately selected feed rate into the feed chamber 118, will ensure that the feed rate of molten metal into the mold cavity 116 is controlled, As the level of molten metal within the mold cavity 116 rises, the feed rate of molten metal into the 5 feed chamber 118 may be adjusted so that molten metal is flowing out of the slot 126 directly on top of the molten metal within the mold cavity 116, thereby ensuring a substantially horizontal flow of molten metal into the mold cavity 116. Coolant will be sprayed against the removable floorplate 112 through the coolant manifold 132, beginning with air, and then switching to an air/water mixture, and finally all water. As molten metal within the bottom of 10 the mold cavity 116 solidifies, the removable floorplate 112 may be removed, thereby permitting coolant to directly contact the underside of the ingot within the mold cavity 116. {0063] In one example of a casting process according to the present invention, 7085 aluminum alloy was cast into a 9" x 13"x 7" ingot using a mold 100 as shown in Figures 9 10. The initial metal temperature was 1,280*F. The removable floorplate 112 was made 15 from a 0.5" thick stainless steel plate. Thermocouples were placed along the center line of the ingot at 025 inch, 0.75 inch, 2 inches and 4 inches from the removable floorplate 112. The mold cavity 116 was initially filled at a rate of 2 inches every 30 seconds, with a fill rate slowing as casting progressed. The initial water flow rate was 0.25 gallons per minute, in the form of a combined air/water mixture, The removable Doorplate 112 was removed when a 20 thermocouple located 0,25 inch from the removable floorplate 112 read 1,080"F. At this point, the flow rate of water was increased to 1 gallon per minute. [0064] Figure 11 shows the cooling rate at each of the four thermocouples. As can be seen from this figure, the cooling rate ranged from 1.5 to 2.124F/sec., a substantially uniform cooling rate. 25 (0065] Figure 12 is a graph showing residual stresses throughout a cross-section of the ingot, This data was collected by cutting the ingot in half in the 9" direction, and then measuring the resulting surface deformation as the stresses within the material relaxed. With the exception of one tensile stress in the lower left-hand corner of Figure 12, and one compressive stress in the lower center portion of Figure 12, the magnitude of the stresses 30 throughout the ingot is 0.6 to 3 ksi. The larger compressive stress at the center of the ingot's bottom is of little concem, because compressive stress generally does not result in cracking. The high compressive stresses at this location and high tensile stresses in the lower left comer are probably the result of molten metal first impinging on the substrate at these locations, 11 resulting in the fonnation of cold shots and possibly other defects. The highest tensile stress was +6e2PSL [00661 Referring to Figure 13, the residual stresses across the cross-section of a 4 inch by 13 inch 7085 aluminum alloy DC cast ingot are illustrated. As the figure shows, the 5 residual stresses resulting from presently performed DC casting can be as high as 10 ksi. However, the stresses in this ingot were likely even higher, because the ingot already had a longitudinal crack when the stress was measured, which would have relaxed these stresses. As used in the figure, sigma refers to tensile or compressive stress, tau refers to sheer stress, LT refers to the direction substantially parallel to the length, and ST refers to a direction 10 substantially parallel to the thickness. [0067} The application of coolant to the bottom of the mold, along with, in some preferred embodiments, the insulation on the sides 12, 14, 16, 18, results in directional solidification of the casting from the bottom to the top of the mold cavity 19. Preferably, the rate of introduction of molten metal into the mold cavity 19, combined with the cooling rate, 15 will be controlled to maintain about 0.1 inch (2.54 mm.) to about I inch (25.4 mm.) of molten metal within the mold cavity 19 at any given time. In some embodiments, the mushy zone between the molten metal and solidified metal may also be kept at a substantially uniform thickness. As a result of this directional solidification, uniform temperature, and thin sections of molten metal and mushy zone, macrosegregation is substantially reduced or eliminated. 20 [00681 Referring to Figure 14, another mold assembly 138 is illustrated, The mold assembly 138 includes 140, 142, 144, and a fourth side that is not illustrated in the cutaway drawing, opposite the side 142. All four walls 140, 142, 144, and the unillustrated wall may be insulated, with a preferred insulating material being graphite. The mold 138 further includes a bottom 146, which preferably includes a plurality of apertures 148 (best illustrated 25 in Figure 15) having a diameter sufficiently large to permit the passage of typical coolants such as air or water, while also being sufficiently small to resist the passage of molten metal there through. A preferred diamreter for the apertures 148 is about 1/64 inch to about one inch. The mold's cavity 150 is defined by the walls 140, 142, 144, the fourth wall, and the bottom 146. Wall 144 defines a slot therein, the edge 152 of tie slot visible in Figure 14. 30 [0069] The molten metal feed chamber 154 is defined by the walls 156, 158, 160, a fourth unillustrated wall, and the bottom 162. A feed trough 164 extends from a molten metal furnace to a location directly above the molten metal feed chamber 154. A spout 166 extends from the feed trough 164 to the molten metal feed chamber 154. 12 [0070] A gate 168 is an H shaped structure, having a pair of vertical slot closure members 170, 172, connected by a horizontal member 174 defining a channel 176 therethrough. Slot closure member 170 is structured to substantially close a slot in the wall 144 of the mold cavity 150, while the closure member 172 is structured to substantially close 5 the slot defined within the wall 156 of the molten metal feed chamber 154. The gate 168 is structured to slide between a lower position wherein the channel 176 is located adjacent to the bottom 146 of the mold cavity 150, and an upper position corresponding to the top of the mold cavity 150. The slot closure members 170, 172 are structured to resist the flow of molten metal through the slots defined in the walls 144, 156 at any point except through the 10 channel 176, regardless of the position of the gate 168, [0071] A coolant manifold 178 is disposed below the bottom 146. The coolant manifold 178 preferably configured to selectively spray air, water, or a mixture of air and water against the bottom 146. 100721 A laser sensor 180 be disposed above the mold cavity 150, and is preferably 15 structured to monitor the level of molten metal within the mold cavity 150. [00731 In use, molten metal will be introduced through the feed trough 164 into the feed chamber 154. Molten metal may then flow through the channel 176 into the mold cavity 150. As the level of molten metal within the mold cavity 150 arises, the gate 168 will be raised so that molten metal always flows horizontally from the feed chamber 154 directly on 20 top of the molten metal already in the mold chamber 150. The feed rate of molten metal into the mold chamber 150 may be slowed as cooling progresses to control the cooling rate. Additionally, coolant flowing from the coolant manifold 178 will change from air to an air/water mixture to all water as casting progresses to control the cooling rate of the molten metal within the feed chamber 150. Because coolant may impinge directly on the metal 25 within the feed chamber 150, it is unnecessary to remove the bottom 146 during the casting process. [00741 Figure 16 shows a top isometric view of a mold according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing the perforated portion of the conveyor below the mold. All elements in Figure 16 are present and identified by the same reference 30 numerals as shown in Figure 1. Mold 10 includes four sides 12, 14, 16, 18, respectively, with. a mold cavity 19 defined therein. The sides 12, 14, 16, 18 are preferably insulated, A bottom 20 may be formed by a conveyor having a perforated portion 22 and a mesh portion 24. The conveyor 20 is continuous, wrapping around the rollers 26, 28, 30, 32, respectively, so that 1D either of the perforated portion 22 or mesh portion 24 may selectively be placed under the sides 12, 14, 16, 18. The conveyor may be made from any rigid material having a high thermal conductivity, with examples including copper, aluminum, stainless steel, and Inconal. [0075) Figure 17 shows a partially sectional isometric top view of the mold shown in 5 Figure 16, taken along the lines 16-16 in Figure 16. [0076] Figure 18 shows a partially sectional isometric top view of the mold shown in Figure 16, where the mesh portion of the conveyor is below the mold, [00771 Figures, 16, 17 and 18 are similar to Figures 1, 2 and 4. The main difference between the two sets of Figures is that Figures 1, 2 and 4 shows a solid and a mesh portion of 10 the conveyor below the mold, respectively, whereas Figures 16, 17 and 18 shows a perforated and a mesh portion of the conveyor below the mold, respectively. [0078] Figure 19A shows a three layer multiple layer ingot for a skin sheet product having a 2024 alloy sandwiched between two layers of 1050 alloy. Here, the 2024 alloy has a liquids temperature 1180 *F and eutectic temperature of 935 *F and the 1050 alloy has a 15 liquidus temperature 1198 T and eutectic temperature of 1189 *. In this example, upon casting a 035" thick layer of the first cladding layer of alloy 1050, a 3.5" thick layer of the core alloy 2024 was poured at a controlled rate of 0.7 ipm ensuring that the interface temperature rose to a value between 1148 *F and 189 TF. After casting the cores material, a 0.75" thick second cladding layer of alloy was poured ensuring that the interface temperature 20 rose to a value between 885 IF and 1180 T. [0079] Figure 19B shows a micrograph showing the interface between the 2024 alloy and 1050 alloy of the boxed portion of the three layer multiple layer ingot in Figure 19A. This shows that the interface between the 2024 alloy and 1050 alloy is well bonded. [0080] Figure 20A shows a three layer multiple layer ingot for a brazing sheet 25 product having a 3003 alloy sandwiched between t-wo layers of 4343 alloy. Here, the 3003 alloy has a liquidus temperature 1211 *F and eutectic temperature of 1173 *F and the 4343 alloy has a liquidus teraperature 1133 *F and eutectic temperature of 1068 T. In this example, upon casting a 0.75" thick layer of the first cladding layer of alloy 4343, a 5.5" thick layer of the core alloy 3003 was poured at a controlled rate of 0.7 ipm ensuring that the 30 interface temperature rose to a value between 1018 *P and 1083 F. After casting the cores material, a 035" thick second cladding layer of alloy was poured ensuring that the interface temperature rose to a value between 1123 *F and 1211 "F. 14 [0081] Figure 20B shows a micrograph showing the interface between the 3003 alloy and 4343 alloy of the boxed portion of the three layer multiple layer ingot in Figure 20A. This shows that the interface between the 3003 alloy and 4343 alloy is well bonded. [0082] In the present invention, the multiple layer ingot product is not limited to two 5 or three layers of alloys. The multiple layer ingot product may have more than three layers of alloys. [0083] The present invention therefore provides an apparatus and method for producing directionally solidified ingots, and cooling these ingots at a controlled, relatively constant cooling rate. The invention provides the ability to cast crack-free ingots without the 10 need for stress relief. The method reduces or eliminates macrosegregaion, resulting in a uniform microstructure throughout the ingot. The method further produces ingots having a substantially uniform thickness, and which may be thinner than ingots cast using other methods. The large surface area in contact with the coolant results in relatively fast cooling, resulting in higher productivity. 15 100841 While specific embodiments of the invention has been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended 20 claims and any and all equivalents thereof. 15

Claims (16)

1. A method of casting metal, comprising: providing a mold having a bottom surface and four sides defining a mold cavity therein, with a first molten metal inlet structured to introduce a first molten metal horizontally and directly onto the bottom surface of the mold and above the metal already within the mold cavity subsequently; introducing molten metal into the mold cavity through the inlet; continually to introduce molten metal to the metal already within the mold cavity until the desired thickness; and simultaneously directing a cooling medium against the bottom surface of the substrate; whereby the molten metal is cooled unidirectionally through its thickness.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a rate of introduction of molten metal into the mold cavity is coordinated with the rate of cooling.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the cooling rate is about 0.5 F/sec. to about 3 0 F/sec.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the rate of introduction of molten metal into the mold cavity slows as the casting progresses.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the cooling rate slows from about 3 0 F/sec. to about 0.5 0 F/sec. as casting progresses.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the rate of introduction of molten metal into the mold cavity is about 0.5 in./min. to about 4 in./min. 16

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the rate of introduction of molten metal into the mold cavity is slowed as casting progresses.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the rate of introduction of molten metal into the mold cavity slows from about 4 in./min. to about 0.5 in./min. as casting progresses.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a rate of application of cooling medium is increased as casting progresses.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the coolant is applied by spraying against the bottom surface of the substrate or against solidified metal.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein at least one material within the coolant is selected from the group consisting of air, water, and an air-water mixture.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein casting begins with air being used as coolant, with the coolant changing first to an air-water mixture and then to water as casting progresses.

13. The method according to claim 1: wherein the bottom surface of the mold includes a removable portion; and further comprising: placing the removable portion underneath the sides of the mold at the beginning of casting; and removing the removable portion after solidification of metal within a bottom portion of the mold cavity. 17

14. The method according to claim 1: wherein the bottom surface of the mold is formed by a conveyor having a perforated section and a mesh section; and further comprising: placing the solid section underneath the sides of the mold at the beginning of casting; and moving the conveyor so that the mesh section is underneath the sides of the mold after solidification of metal within a bottom portion of the mold cavity.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: providing a second molten metal inlet structured to introduce a second molten metal into the mold cavity; introducing the first molten metal into a bottom portion of the mold cavity; and introducing the second molten metal above the first molten metal.

16. A method according to claim 1 substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. ALCOA INC. WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEYS P29835AU03 18