Dry Powder Based Parting Agents

Overview

Many types of coatings and release agents are used on refractory to prevent molten metal from sticking or reacting to the refractory. This is especially important during maintenance cleanup after a cast is completed to easily and completely remove the thin layer of solidified metal (skull) remaining on the refractory surface. All residue must be removed before the next cast to ensure high quality metal delivery and that no oxide is entrained in the molten metal. Coated surfaces must be inspected and repaired and touched up before casting begins.

Pyrotek offers three classes of parting agents:

• Alukam 60 is a Pyrotek technology and is a mixture of several refractory elements. It has gained popularity because of its similarities to bone ash in terms or parting and gapping abilities. Add water and Alukam 60 can easily be converted into a paste or slurry and be applied like paint.

• Wollastonite is a calcium inosilicate mineral (CaSiO3) commonly found in limestone deposits. It has found use in the molten aluminium industry as a replacement for bone ash due to health concerns associated with bone ash. It can be used dry or mixed with water to create a paste/slurry and applied like a paint.

• Bone ash is a fine white powder created by the calcination of bones and has found use in the molten aluminium industry as a low-cost parting agent and gap filler. It can be used dry or mixed with water to create a paste/slurry and applied like a paint.