Oxide Fiber-Reinforced Ceramics: Next-Generation Foundry Tools

Conventional ceramic foundry tools suffer from brittle fracture and aluminium adhesion issues. The Gießela project is developing oxide fiber-reinforced ceramics (O-CMCs) that could transform aluminium casting operations.

Key Technical Breakthrough

O-CMCs combine high damage tolerance with non-wetting properties against aluminium melts. Unlike traditional ceramics, they enable thin-walled components (< 2 mm) while maintaining structural integrity under mechanical stress.

Projected Benefits

• Up to 10 tons annual aluminium savings at the project partner’s facility
• Reduced heat losses and component weight
• Lower contamination rates compared to metallic tools
• Extended tool service life

The three-year collaboration between Rauschert Heinersdorf-Pressig GmbH, Pinter Guss GmbH and Frauenhofer ISC targets applications including riser tubes, dosing tubes, and thermocouple protection systems.

Read the full article about the project on Rauschert’s website here