Chapter 7, Problem 62AP

Casting of molten metal is important in many industrial processes. Centrifugal casting is used for manufacturing pipes, bearings, and many other structures. A cylindrical enclosure is rotated rapidly and steadily about a horizontal axis, as in Figure P7.62. Molten metal is poured into the rotating cylinder and then cooled, forming the finished product. Turning the cylinder at a high rotation rate forces the solidifying metal strongly to the outside. Any bubbles are displaced toward the axis so that unwanted voids will not be present in the casting. Suppose a copper sleeve of inner radius 2.10 cm and outer radius 2.20 cm is to be cast. To eliminate bubbles and give high structural integrity, the centripetal acceleration of each bit of metal should be 100g. What rate of rotation is required? State the answer in revolutions per minute.

Figure P7.62