Gravity casting is a casting process used for non-ferrous alloy parts. Sometimes referred to as Permanent Mould, the process is typically used on aluminum, zinc, and copper base alloys. Let’s take a deeper look at the process and some of its benefits.
The Process
There are three stages to the gravity casting process.The first step is the heating of the mold and coating it with a die release agent. The release agent spray also serves as a cooling agent after the part has been removed from the die.In the second step, the molten metal is poured into channels in the tool to allow the material to fill the entire mold cavity. The metal is either dosed or hand poured by using ladles. Usually, there is a mold “down sprue” that allows the alloy to enter the mold cavity from the lower part of the die. This reduces the formation of turbulence and subsequent porosity and inclusions in the finished part.After the part has cooled, the die is opened by either using a mechanical tool or manually.
Advantages
There are many advantages to gravity casting. It offers good dimensional accuracy, a smoother cast surface finish than sand casting, and improved mechanical properties compared to sand casting. Gravity casting also provides faster production times compared to the other processes.
Does Your Project Require Gravity Casting?
Gravity casting is ideal when using non-ferrous alloy parts such as aluminum and zinc. Contact us today to learn more about this, as well as the other services we provide.
