Ultra‐high performance alkali‐activated slag as a reusable mold for light metal casting

AbstractLight metal die casting is usually performed using steel molds. However, these lead to a reduced quality of the casting due to the occurrence of metal corrosion on the surface and the incorporation of hydrogen into the casting as a result of required process chemistry. Ultra‐high performance concrete based on alkali‐activated slag can be used to produce mineral molds for aluminum casting. The use of reusable mineral molds not only enables the production of various thin‐walled geometries. The risk of metal corrosion is eliminated and the concrete molds can withstand multiple cycles due to their thermal stability and high strength, making them potentially superior to the already common lost mineral molds.