Pore characteristics of Lotus-Type Porous Copper Fabricated by Centrifugal Casting

Lotus-type porous copper was fabricated by a centrifugal casting. The long cylindrical pores aligned along single direction was formed during unidirectional solidification in a hydrogen atmosphere under a centrifugal force. The relationship between processing parameters and pore characteristics in centrifugal casting was investigated in detail. Porosity and average pore diameter increased with increasing distance from bottom of ingot and rotational velocity. The processing parameter in centrifugal casing affected the pressure on liquid/solid interface and the solidification rate during unidirectional solidification. It is concluded that an appropriate pore characteristics of lotus-type porous copper can be obtained by control of processing parameters in the centrifugal casting.