Mould Material for Cast Steel Rings

[forgemaster]

I am currently pouring cast steel into steel moulds that hydraulically open and close. There are 12 moulds on a carrousel that rotates. The product, approx 20mm thick rings with an outside diameter of max 600mm x 500mm inside diameter. The steel moulds wear quite fast. Any suggestions as to an alternative material for the moulds to be made from?

 

[metman]

Stellite might be a candidate.

Jesus is THE life,
Leonard

 

[arunmrao]

Graphite molds can be tried with similar clamping techniques. Railway wheels are cast in such molds.

 

[TVP]

What steel alloy are you currently using? Any surface treatment? Coating/plating?

 

[forgemaster]

As far as I know the material is common carbon steel with no surface treatment.

 

[arunmrao]

Once again I repeat that graphite mold can be effectively used. I have seen a railway wheel manufacturing company having a collaboration with US rail company manufacturing rail wheels in this mold material.
With steel mold you must be facing localised fusion of metal and then the mold needs to be dressed for damages. Also repeated heating and cooling causes cracks and scaling to occur .