Precision casting and dead-mold casting in plastic/carbon aerogels

1. A molding material for the precision casting and dead-mold casting of metals or metal alloys comprising highly porous open-cell carbon aerogel, obtained by the sol-gel polymerization of organic plastic materials, followed by partial or complete pyrolysis of the plastic aerogel obtained, said molding material containing inorganic filler materials selected from the group consisting of inorganic fibers and SiC fibers.

2. A process for the preparation of casting molds for the precision casting and dead-mold casting of metals or metal alloys using highly porous open-cell plastic and/or carbon aerogels, comprising the steps:

a) wetting a wax mold with a plastic sol of an appropriate composition containing an appropriate catalyst;

b) converting the sol to a gel at a temperature below the pour point of the wax;

c) optionally, applying one or more additional layers of the sol each of which is partially or completely convened to the gel form;

d) drying the gel at a temperature below the pour point of the wax; and

e) melting and draining or burning off the wax from the solidified gel at a temperature above the pour point of the wax.

3. A process for the preparation of casting molds for the precision casting and dead-mold casting of metals or metal alloys using highly porous open-cell plastic and/or carbon aerogels, comprising the steps:

a) placing a wax molding in a container;

b) filling the container partly or wholly with a plastic sol;

c) converting the sol to the gel form at a temperature below the pour point of the wax;

d) drying the gel at a temperature below the pour point of the wax; and

e) melting and draining or burning off the wax from the solidified gel at a temperature above the pour point of the wax.

4. The process according to claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that said drying of the gel is effected at a temperature within a range of from 20 to 50° C., in the course of less than 24 hours.

5. The process according to any of claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that pyrolysis of the solidified gel is effected at a temperature of at least 600° C., in the course of from 4 to 24 hours.

6. A mold for casting metal articles having a predetermined shape, said mold comprising highly porous open-cell carbon aerogel obtained by sol-gel polymerization of organic plastic material, followed by partial or complete pyrolysis of the plastic aerogel obtained, said carbon aerogel containing inorganic filler materials selected from inorganic fibers or SiC fibers, wherein said open-cell carbon aerogel surrounds a cavity having said predetermined shape.

7. The mold of claim 6 , wherein the cavity is connected to the exterior of the mold by a plurality of open channels serving as feeders and risers.

8. The process according to claim 4 , characterized in that said drying of the gel is effected at a temperature within a range of from 20 to 25° C.

9. The process according to claim 5 , characterized in that said pyrolysis of the solidified gel is effected at a temperature of at least 1000° C.

10. The process of claim 2 , or claim 3 , wherein the plastic sol is an organic plastic material further comprising organic fibers or filler of thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic particles.

11. The process of claim 5 , wherein the plastic sol further comprises inorganic filler materials selected from the group consisting of inorganic fibers and SiC fibers.