At Maraton Döküm, we continuously upgrade our laboratory and quality control infrastructure to maintain the highest metallurgical standards across every stage of our aluminium and bronze casting production processes. From raw material intake to final inspection, our precise testing and analysis procedures guarantee the reliability and performance of our cast parts.

1. Our Quality Control Approach

Metallurgical quality is not a coincidence; it is the result of a disciplined and traceable control mechanism throughout the manufacturing process. At our facilities in Ankara, all parameters from raw material quality to melting regimes, pouring temperatures, and heat treatment cycles are rigorously monitored in line with the process control principles detailed in our sand casting vs gravity die casting technical guide.

2. Optical Emission Spectrometry (Jiebo Innovate T5 Spark-OES)

Verifying that alloy composition precisely matches target standards (such as ETIAL series aluminium alloys) is the foundational step in achieving required mechanical and physical properties. Using our Jiebo Innovate T5 optical emission spectrometer (Spark-OES), elemental composition analysis is performed on solid metal samples taken prior to and during pouring [1].

• Spark Excitation System: Controlled electrical discharges on the sample surface generate atomic emission, allowing optical detection of element concentrations (following ASTM E1251 evaluation principles).
• Calibration & Surface Preparation: Analysis accuracy relies on calibrated analytical programs and proper surface grinding/preparation procedures.
• In-Process Monitoring: Charge and melt chemistry are periodically monitored during production to ensure strict alloy compliance.

[Note: The actual laboratory facility photo of the Jiebo Innovate T5 spectrometer will be integrated here upon acquisition.]

3. Reduced Pressure Testing (RPT)

Gas content and porosity tendency in liquid aluminium directly dictate final casting integrity, as explored in our porosity formation in aluminium castings article. Our facility utilizes the Reduced Pressure Test (RPT) method:

• Enables controlled solidification of liquid aluminium samples under reduced pressure (vacuum) [2].
• Allows qualitative observation of dissolved gases (hydrogen) and inclusion tendency within the solidified cross-section [2].
• RPT serves as a rapid and valuable foundry quality screening test rather than a direct exact measurement of hydrogen ppm concentration [2].

4. RADWAG Hydrostatic Density Measurement System

To convert qualitative RPT observations into numerical data, we use the RADWAG electronic balance and hydrostatic density measurement system:

• Archimedes’ Principle: Measures sample weights in air and pure liquid (distilled water) to calculate true density with high precision.
• Density Index: Comparing densities of samples solidified under atmospheric versus reduced pressure yields the density index, providing a quantitative evaluation of melt gas content (referencing RISE standards).

5. Quality Control Workflow

Our quality control workflow consists of the following systematic stages:

1. Raw Material Acceptance: Verifying specification compliance for alloy ingots and charge materials.
2. Melt & Spectrometry Analysis: Confirming pre-pour liquid metal chemistry via Spark-OES.
3. Reduced Pressure Testing & Density Measurement: Evaluating melt gas tendency and density index.
4. Dimensional & Visual Inspection: Post-casting surface, dimensional, and geometric tolerance checks.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does spectrometry measure?
The Jiebo Innovate T5 optical emission spectrometer (Spark-OES) measures chemical composition and metallic element proportions in solid metal samples [1].

Does RPT directly measure hydrogen content?
No, RPT indicates gas and porosity tendency under vacuum; it does not provide direct ppm hydrogen analysis [2].

7. Contact Our Engineering Team

To learn more about our traceable and controlled aluminium or bronze casting solutions tailored to your project requirements, please visit our contact page to get in touch.