Application of MIST/Ablation to Solidify Laminated Armor

Since 2000, Alotech has specialized in advanced solidification technology for non-ferrous castings and, within the last 8 years, has expanded its scope to include ferrous applications. The proprietary process was developed to challenge current casting and forging techniques and technologies. The original technology, Ablation Casting (GEN I), was developed to cast wrought-based (i.e., forging) alloys, the main alloy of focus being 6061. GEN I utilizes a proprietary patented permeable aggregate mold which makes casting wrought-based and difficult-casting-alloys easy to solidify without hot tearing with little micro-porosity. GEN I improves material properties compared to that of traditional castings or forgings, of the same alloy with the geometric flexibility of sand castings. While Multi Indirect Solidification Technology (MIST, GEN II), uses a trade secret permeable permanent mold which improves on material properties over GEN I, and in aluminum has been shown to partially heat treat the casting; reducing the time and expense of post-processing operations. GEN II also increases the control on cooling curves enabling faster cooling rates and easier adjustment to fine to material properties for the casting. While both GEN I and II allow for the ability to encase materials or objects in castings or to “cast in place” without experiencing significant radiant heat from the molten metal while solidification takes place.