Shrinkage Allowance for Metal Casting

A shrinkage allowance for metal casting is something that must be figured into a design from the very beginning. As the molten metal cools and solidifies it will begin to contract. This means that although the molten metal completely filled up a mold, by the time the casting was cold, the casting is smaller than the mold.

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Prototype Aluminum Casting

Prototype aluminum casting is the ideal way of testing the performance of parts for intended applications. One can see the original design complexities before going into full-scale production of casting parts. It saves time and money for manufacturers who produce parts for various applications.

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Precision Investment Casting

Precision investment casting is regarded as the premier casting technique that can produce net or near net shape casting parts with close tolerance and excellent surface finish with any alloy. Precision investment casting has a wide range of applications that require thin wall capabilities and smooth surface finish.

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Outboard Motor Parts

Outboard motor parts are almost entirely created by some type of casting process. One of the reasons is that metal casting allows the use of alloys which have the desired properties for strength, durability and corrosion resistance. This is why you can still find old outboard motors being used today, along with being maintained well, their engine parts were cast to ensure longevity.

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A Boat Propeller

A boat propeller can be cast from a number of metals and alloys. There are some boat propellers that are constructed from cast iron that consists of a mixture carbon, silicon, manganese, sulfur, phosphorus, magnesium, nickel, copper, titanium and a number of other elements. Such propellers are frequently used on outboard motors and can be driven at speeds up to 9,000 revolutions per minute.

Bronze, aluminum and stainless steel can also be cast for a boat propeller. Such propellers are used by ships, pleasure boats, cargo ships, ocean liners, tugs and trawlers for high speed and high efficiency. Casting foundries that specialize in boat propellers can cast up to a maximum diameter of almost 16.5 feet. Continue...

Aluminum Sand Casting

Aluminum sand casting is the oldest and the most common metal casting technique. It is also the easiest casting technique to learn. The casting mold is made with sand. The pattern or structure is covered with sand, mixed with some fixative agents like wet clay. Then the design is removed, and the sand cover retains a cavity in the shape of the design, pattern or structure. Internal cavities or grooves are made with the sand and molten metal is poured into the cavity. The casting is recovered after breaking the sand mold. Continue...

Aluminum Pressure Die Casting

Aluminum pressure die casting is the fastest method for mass production of precision parts. This die casting technique has a history of more than 150 years and the mass production of die casting components began around the 1900s. Aluminum pressure die casting is used to produce light weight, thin wall components of complex shapes, which demand stability at high temperatures and good corrosion resistance.

The die casting process involves the injection of molten metal into the die (mold) at high pressure. A high quality steel die is used for this process and the pressure varies from 5ksi to 10ksi (35Mpa to 69Mpa). The (cold chamber) temperature is set at 300° F to 500°F (150° to 260°C), well below the solidification temperature, to enable quick solidification....Continue