photo taken by Daniel Bally |
As the Aluminum reaches temperature it will develop a sort of "scum" or dross on it's surface. This "scum" needs to be carefully removed in order to prevent contamination of the pour and possible disfigurement the finished casting. This is done by slowly drawing a scraping tool across the surface of the Aluminum, pulling the "scum" off. This will leave the surface of the molten Aluminum looking like liquid mercury. When you can dip a steel rod into the Aluminum and it coats the rod evenly, (like paint) and does not stick or clump to it, then the molten metal is ready to pour. |
