Visual Testing (VT) Practice Exam 2025 - Free VT Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide

A chaplet is primarily utilized in the casting process to support core material. When creating a casting, it is essential to maintain the proper placement and stability of cores that define internal features of the molded part. The chaplet is a small metal support that is placed within the mold to hold the core in position during the pouring of molten metal.

By providing this support, chaplets help ensure that the core retains its shape and does not shift during the casting process, which could lead to defects in the final product. This is particularly important for complex parts that require precise internal geometries.

Regarding the other options, a chaplet does not act as a heat sink; rather, it remains within the molten material to support the core, and it does not contribute to creating irregular discontinuities, which would indicate defects rather than functionality. Therefore, the function of supporting core material is the most accurate and relevant purpose of a chaplet in casting processes.