The paper presents the results of tests carried out during the refining of the AlSi9Cu3(Fe) alloy in industrial conditions at the FDU stand. In the tests, three different rotors made of classical graphite, fine-grained graphite and classical graphite with SiC spraying were tested for the degree of wear. A series of tests was conducted for five cases-0% to 100% of consumption every 25%-corresponding to the cycles of the refining process. The number of cycles corresponding to 100% wear of each rotor was determined as 1112. The results of the rotor wear profile for all types of graphite after the assumed cycles are presented. Comparison of CAD models of new rotors and 3D scans of rotors in the final stage of operation revealed material losses during operational tests. The study assessed the efficiency of the rotor in terms of its service life as well as work efficiency. It was estimated on the basis of the calculated values of the Dichte Index (DI) and the density of the samples solidified in the vacuum. The structure of samples before and after refining at various stages of rotor wear is also presented, and the results are discussed.

Environmental Research Department Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice Okružní 517 10 370 01 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Faculty of Materials Engineering Silesian University of Technology Krasinskiego 8 40 019 Katowice Poland

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering University of West Bohemia Univerzitní 2732 301 00 Plzeň Czech Republic

MOTOR JIKOV Slévárna A S Kněžskodvorská 2277 370 04 České Budějovice Czech Republic

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