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A baked core refers to a sand core that has been hardened by baking it in an oven. This process is essential in foundry operations where sand cores are used to create internal cavities or passages within metal castings:
- Core Production: The core is initially made from a mixture of sand and a binder that helps hold the sand together.
- Drying: After the core is formed, it is dried to remove any excess moisture. This step is important to prevent steam from forming during the baking process, which could cause the core to crack.
- Baking: The dried core is then placed in an oven and heated to a specific temperature for a predetermined period. This baking process serves several purposes:
- It hardens the core, making it strong enough to withstand the molten metal during casting.
- It fixes the shape of the core, ensuring dimensional accuracy and stability.
- It removes any remaining moisture, which could otherwise cause defects in the casting.
- Cooling: Once baked, the core is allowed to cool gradually to room temperature before it is used in the casting process.
Baked cores are used extensively in foundries for manufacturing complex metal parts with internal features that cannot be created solely through the molding process. The baking process ensures that the cores maintain their shape and integrity throughout the casting operation, contributing to the overall quality and precision of the finished metal components.
See
- Core sand