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Characteristics of Casting Metal

Casting is a manufacturing method where molds are created that hold liquid metals which harden and solidify to form an object. Metals that are used in casting all have high boiling points and easily attainable cooling temperature so the need for additional equipment is minimized.

Steel
- Steel casting follows the same fundamental procedure as casting with other metals. First, a core is supplied which is used to create the casting mold. Molten steel is created by heating steel in a furnace until it reaches its heating point. The assembled molds are then passed off to the pouring stage, after which they're cooled. The final stage is cleaning the molds so a smooth surface is ensured. A quality check at the end also looks for any other defects in the steel casting. Steel cast metals are traditionally used when cast iron isn't able to provide proper strength and shock absorption.
Aluminum
- While lower-strength than steel, aluminum casting is used in a number of consumer goods that don't require high-strength construction. It is known to be a cost-effective casting metal because it has a low melting point. It's frequently blended with silicone to create aluminum alloys which melt at even lower temperatures. Magnesium is another common additive to aluminum castings because it offers similar strength, but a lighter weight than aluminum by itself. Naturally forming aluminum oxide forms on the exterior of aluminum to help retain its shine and luster in a variety of environments.
Copper
- Copper is used as a casting metal when a high tensile strength and nice shine are needed. The downside of casting with copper is that it can oxidize over time and develop a green coating. To prevent this, copper needs to be polished, making it a high-maintenance casting metal. Its high melting point doesn't lend itself to cost-effective production, however it continues to be used to form solid materials and art installations. The downside of using copper is that it's also prone to cracking and poring during the solidification process.
Gold Casting
- While pure gold is available, typically it is not 100 percent pure when melted down and solidified into things like jewelry. Gold alloys offer a lower casting temperature which makes it easier to produce. Due to its soft nature, gold casting needs to be done delicately so permanent marks and imperfections aren't formed. Otherwise the metal will need to be remelted.

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