Casting is the process of forming a substance into a specific shape using a mold. There are numerous reliable and effective metal casting materials that are used for industrial purposes. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular materials used in castings.
Gray Iron
Gray iron is one of the most frequently used casting materials in industrial manufacturing. It can be machined easily, tested for quality without using destructive methods, formulated to meet specific application requirements, and is cost-effective at high volumes. It’s ideal for applications that require damping or vibration control, high strength to weight ratios, and dimensional stability.
Ductile Iron
Ductile iron shares similar traits with gray iron but is used in applications that require greater strength. Ductile iron differs from gray iron in several different ways, including:
- Greater strength
- Improved wear resistance
- Stronger toughness
- Superior ductility
- Reduced weight
- Reduced shrinkage
- Lower cost
Aluminum
Aluminum is another popular material used in casting due in large part to the superior versatility of the metal. It is a relatively adaptable substance to work with and it has many advantages such as corrosion resistance, high thermal/electrical conductivity, good mechanical properties and strength at high temperatures.
Steel
Steel is a tough casting material well-suited for parts that will be subjected to exceptional wear, shock or heavy loads. It is useful for its corrosion resistance in aqueous environments and for applications involving elevated temperatures.
Are You Looking for Castings?
At Ferralloy we offer castings in a variety of different materials. Contact us today to learn more.
