Comparison of the hardness value and microstructure of Al6061 in horizontal centrifugal casting with and without mold cooling

The object of this research is the horizontal centrifugal casting process of the Al6061 alloy. Usually, cast products experience some casting defects, so the horizontal centrifugal casting process is applied to reduce the possibility of casting defects arising. In some casting processes, especially in the production of cylindrical specimens, casting defects such as porosity are encountered. Therefore, horizontal centrifugal casting was applied to overcome this problem. The test results show that the average hardness value for aluminum 6061 specimens resulting from centrifugal casting products with water cooling was 73.3 HRE, while the average hardness value for aluminum 6061 specimens resulting from centrifugal casting products without water cooling was 86.4 HRE. The microstructure results show that the grain size of centrifugal casting products with water cooling was 82.5 µm, whereas without water cooling it was 75 µm. Higher hardness values were obtained in specimens without mold cooling, this is because the conductivity in molds without cooling was higher compared to molds that experienced water cooling. The higher the heat conductivity of the mold, the faster the cooling process of the cast product. The casting process using the horizontal centrifugal method can be carried out to produce cylindrical spare parts