Numerical Simulation and Analysis of Hot Cracking in the Casting of Fork

In the investment casting of shifting fork, hot cracking is a common defect. In order to analyze the hot cracking in the investment casting, the ProCAST software was adopted, and the investment casting process was simulated, The filling field, temperature field and stress field were analyzed, and the cause of crack was predicted. Results show that as the local area receives larger tensile stress from around, the shrinkage cavity appears; as a result, hot cracking occurs. By decreasing the pouring temperature, increasing preheating temperature of the shell, or chamfer angle of the fork, the casting stress can be reduced, and thus the crack will be avoided.