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world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Hairline crack in Casting

Is there anything that could be done to save a casting that could have a hairline crack in it.

Pat McKinney
- Glenolden, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
2003

Yes.

Toby Padfield
- Michigan
2003

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What material? What heat treatment condition if it is a heat treatable material? What size casting? Why "could have..."? - either the crack is there or it isn't - what does a dye or fluorescent penetrant test show? Is it a ferromagnetic material? - if so, what does a mag particle test show? If the crack is there, how deep is it and what is the thickness of the section that is cracked? - might need ultrasonic examination with an angle probe to measure the depth of the crack. With a bit of basic information such as the above, a decision can be made on the feasibility of repair, and a repair procedure can be written if indeed repair is feasible.

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
2003