Casting
Casting is a process of pouring
molten metal in a mould. The mould has a cavity having shape of the desired
object. The mould is made of material capable to withstand the melting point
temperature of the metal. Sand is the most common mould material. However,
metal moulds or synthetic moulds are also in use.
A pattern of aluminium, timber or an
alike material is first shaped/made. The pattern has the same shape as that of
part to be cast. The size of the pattern may be slightly more to allow for the
shrinkage of the metal from liquid state to solid state. This pattern is then used
to prepare an appropriate mold cavity in the sand. In this mould, adequate
pores are provided for pouring the molten metal. On cooling and solidification
of the cast object, the mold is broken and the object is sent for finishing
operations.
Cast-iron can only be cast and this
is the only process for making cast iron parts. The other malleable metals like
steel, aluminium, copper etc can also be cast and this method is also availed
many times for these.
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