I guess there is only one way to find out. Give it a try. be sure to document your process and keep us posted on your progress. We love pictures.
Notice that I've suggested you invest your time, energy and materials into this hypothetical casting method.
This is what I think is going to happen. The metal will melt as metals do. Smaller pieces and the exterior of the mass first. This small quantity of molten metal will drip into your casting and possibly remain liquid. meanwhile the mass above is gaining heat. At some point the mass above is going to ball up. This process of metal melting should continue happening over and over again until the casting is complete, according to the theory. The theory leaves out several factors. It leaves out oxides forming on the drips of metal in the casting and gasses forming that may prevent the flow of the metal. It further leaves out the failure temp of the investment. So that your (casting) may not only be very porous but contain small bits of investment.
Let's look at this another way. I'm going to suggest that the reason other methods developed is because this proposed method either doesn't work or because it can be easily improved upon. Rather than dealing with the problems of dripping metal, oxides and gases forming. Inverting the molten metal over the invested flask is an African approach centuries old. Just pouring the liquid metal into the mold is a pretty direct method. Heck melting the metal in the flask and then covering it with a potato, to create steam to force the metal into the flask, works. Melting the metal in the flask and then spinning it overhead on the end of a rope, works. Melting the metal over the casting and opening a gate or valve to fill the casting, works. Adding or creating a vacuum in the flask to draw the metal into the casting, works. Of course results vary by technique and per individual. I applaud your question. What happens inside that flask is an interesting study. Which techniques work best can be a life's journey. Good stuff It's my personal decision not to waste a potato to get a casting. I've found better ways to cook a potato, too. But there are others that swear it's the best way. Cool with me.
Best of luck, give it a go. Really doesn't bother me to be proven wrong. I learn stuff everyday. Edison is one of my heroes. Not because he discovered what would make a great filament in a light bulb, but because he discovered hundreds of things that wouldn't. OH wear gloves.. Brad
Well how about that.
I guess there is only one way to find out. Give it a try. be sure to document your process and keep us posted on your progress. We love pictures.
Notice that I've suggested you invest your time, energy and materials into this hypothetical casting method.
This is what I think is going to happen. The metal will melt as metals do. Smaller pieces and the exterior of the mass first. This small quantity of molten metal will drip into your casting and possibly remain liquid. meanwhile the mass above is gaining heat. At some point the mass above is going to ball up. This process of metal melting should continue happening over and over again until the casting is complete, according to the theory. The theory leaves out several factors. It leaves out oxides forming on the drips of metal in the casting and gasses forming that may prevent the flow of the metal. It further leaves out the failure temp of the investment. So that your (casting) may not only be very porous but contain small bits of investment.
Let's look at this another way. I'm going to suggest that the reason other methods developed is because this proposed method either doesn't work or because it can be easily improved upon. Rather than dealing with the problems of dripping metal, oxides and gases forming. Inverting the molten metal over the invested flask is an African approach centuries old. Just pouring the liquid metal into the mold is a pretty direct method. Heck melting the metal in the flask and then covering it with a potato, to create steam to force the metal into the flask, works. Melting the metal in the flask and then spinning it overhead on the end of a rope, works. Melting the metal over the casting and opening a gate or valve to fill the casting, works. Adding or creating a vacuum in the flask to draw the metal into the casting, works. Of course results vary by technique and per individual. I applaud your question. What happens inside that flask is an interesting study. Which techniques work best can be a life's journey. Good stuff It's my personal decision not to waste a potato to get a casting. I've found better ways to cook a potato, too. But there are others that swear it's the best way. Cool with me.
Best of luck, give it a go. Really doesn't bother me to be proven wrong. I learn stuff everyday. Edison is one of my heroes. Not because he discovered what would make a great filament in a light bulb, but because he discovered hundreds of things that wouldn't. OH wear gloves.. Brad