Orthogonal tests of lead-clad tin bimetal continuous casting by air pressure core-filling

To provide theoretical basis and practical guidance for preparing composite rods of external diameter no larger than 12 mm by directly continuous casting, low melting point materials of lead and tin were selected to prepare composite rods of external diameter 12 mm and inner diameter 8 mm with air pressing core filled continuous casting process. The orthogonal tests consisting of three factors and three levels were designed to investigate the parameters of melting lead temperature, continuous casting speed and air pressure that affect the performance of the composite rods. The results show that melting lead temperature is the most important factor that influences the solid/liquid interface location; continuous casting speed is the most important factor that influences the surface quality and lead and tin inter-diffusion amount; air pressure can improve the surface quality obviously and make the rods easily drawn out, but the surface quality cannot get obvious improvement when the air pressure is above 0.03 MPa. The composite rods have excellent surface quality, obvious intermediate layer, even thick clad, and metallurgical bonding interface under the condition of melting lead temperature of 375 °C, continuous casting speed of 10 mm/min, and air pressure of 0.03 MPa.