Shrinkage allowance

All metals shrink when cooling except perhaps bismuth. This is because of the inter-atomic vibration
which are amplified by an increase in temperature. However, there is distinction to be made
between liquid shrinkage and solid shrinkage

Liquid shrinkage refers to the reduction in volume when the metal changes from liquid to solid state
at the solidus temperature. The account for this, risers are provided in the moulds

Solid shrinkage is the reduction in valume caused, when metal loses temperature in solid state. The
shrinkage allowance is provided to take care of this reduction

The rate of contraction with temperature is dependent on the material. For example, steel contracts
to a higher degree compared to aluminium. The shrinkage also depends upon the metallurgical
transformation taking place during the solidification.

Table 2. shrinkage allowance for various metals

The shrinkage allowance is to be added always to the linear dimensions. Even in case of internal
dimensions. The material has a tendency to contract towards the centre and thus are to be
increased. It is also possible to obtain shrink rulers for specific materials such as steel, which are
nothing bus special scales where dimensions shown are actually longer by a measure equal to the
shrinkage allowance. Dimensions provided by such a rule can be used at the time of making the
pattern. Different shrink rulers are used for different casting materials.

Machining allowance

the finish and accuracy achieved in sandcasting are generally poor and, therefore, when the casting
is functionally required to be of good surface finish or dimensionally accurate, it is generally
achieved by subsequent machining. Also, ferrous materilas would have scales on the skin, which are
to be removed by cleaning. Hence, extra material is tobe provided which is to be subsequently
removed by the machining or cleaning process. This depends on dimensions, the type of casting
material and the finish required. This may range from 2 to 20 mm. The machining allowance
provided would ultimately have to be removed by machining. Hence, the cost of providing additional
machining allowance should be carefully examined before finalising.

The type of maching allowance provided would depend on the metal cast, the type of moulding
used, the class of accuracy required on the surface and the complexity of surface details. One way of
reducing the machining allowance is to keep the entire casting in the drag flask such that
dimensional variation and other defects due to the parting line are reduced to a minimum.

Table 3. machining allowance on patterns for sandcastings

Draft allowance

At the time of withdrawing the pattern from the sand mould, the vertical faces of the pattern are in
continual contact with the sand, which may damage the mould cavity. To reduce the chances of this
happening, the vertical faces of the pattern are always taperedfrom the parting line. This provision is
called draft allowance.
 Gambar 2. Effect of draft on pattern withdrawing

Draft allowance varies with the complexity of the job. But in general, inner details of the pattern
require higher draft than outer surfaces. The draft allowance given varies for hand moulding and
machine moulding. More draft needed to be provided for hand moulding compared to machine
moulding. In machine moulding, the actual draft given varies with the condition of the machine

One thing to be noted here is that draft is always provided as an extra metal over and above the
original casting dimensions