MOLDEX™ Transfer Runners

The metal transfer runner system is constructed from a robust mild steel shell, lined with Almex’s MOLDEX™ II refractory material having maximum non-wetting characteristic in addition to low heat conductivity and high thermal fatigue strength.  The refractory lining is extremely long lasting and insensitive to alloying elements in hard alloys and can be expected to last several years if maintained and operated correctly. Refractory repairs are also simple to carry out using MOLDEX II™ castable.

Deterioration or breakdown of refractory surfaces is natural. No matter how careful cast house operators are, accidental damage occurs necessitating the repairing or patching to refractory surfaces.

MOLDEX II™  is a ceramic fiber composite used to repair, to patch, or to fabricate refractory runners, troughing, joints, and headers. Especially formulated for the aluminum casting industry, MOLDEX II™ makes repairing, patching, or fabricating easy and efficient.

The formula is especially designed so that it is pliable, resistant to molten aluminum attack, adheres easily and completely to the refractory base, and strongly bonds with minimal shrinkage upon drying.

MOLDEX II™  is available in 1 gallon and 5 gallon pails for larger jobs and 10.3 oz caulking tubes for smaller repair jobs.

Interface flanges on each end of the runner sections permit simple, leak free bolted attachment of interconnecting sections. Sections are modular in design and combinations of straight sections, 90º left sections, 90º right sections and 45º sections are available to satisfy specific runner layouts depending upon casting line configuration and plant layout.

Sections are supplied with adjustable floor mounts to allow simple installation and adjustment to compensate for elevation changes and metal levels.

Launder Lids (Heated and Non-Heated Options Available)
Heated lids provide the ability to preheat the refractory in the molten metal launder systems prior to a cast. This preheating reduces metal temperature loss, reduces the time to steady state conditions at the start of a cast and removes the potential risk of moisture entrapment in the launders.

Lids are constructed from a steel, rigid outer shell with pivot hinges along one face for connection to the upper surface of the transfer launders. A handle on the opposite face permits lifting of the lid away from the metal flow and to rest on a stop located past the vertical position for stable location in the open position.

The lid is fitted with a coil type heating element embedded into a refractory liner to provide optimum heat dissipation into the metal and maintain a safe outer temperature for gloved contact. Element replacement is simplified by a raised junction box where the elements are joined to field wiring at a terminal strip.

Electrical isolation is provided by a NEMA rated switch with lock out. Total rated power per lid section is 6 KW.

A dedicated heater control panel with independent controllers, switches and alarm functions permit simple control of the heaters as required between casts.

The launder lids are also provided with ports for inert cover gas injection. This cover gas, commonly nitrogen, is added, if required, at low pressures and flow rates to provide a reduced moisture and oxygen atmosphere for the molten metal to pass through. This feature is especially beneficial when casting hard alloys, alloys with readily oxidizable alloying elements, in high humidity regions and where long launder runs are designed. Customer supplied nitrogen supply is attached by means of quick release couplings located on the top face of the heating element.