METAL CASTING PROCESSES

• Sand Casting
• Other Expendable Mold Casting Processes
• Permanent Mold Casting Processes
• Foundry Practice
• Casting Quality
• Metals for Casting
• Product Design Considerations

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Two Categories of Metal Casting
Processes
1. Expendable mold processes - mold is sacrificed to
remove part
− Advantage: more complex shapes possible
− Disadvantage: production rates often limited by
time to make mold rather than casting itself
2. Permanent mold processes - mold is made of metal
and can be used to make many castings
− Advantage: higher production rates
− Disadvantage: geometries limited by need to open
mold

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Overview of Sand Casting

• Most widely used casting process, accounting for a

significant majority of total tonnage cast
• Nearly all alloys can be sand casted, including metals
with high melting temperatures, such as steel, nickel,
and titanium
• Parts ranging in size from small to very large
• Production quantities from one to millions

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.1 ‑ A large sand casting weighing over 680 kg (1500 lb) \
for an air compressor frame
(courtesy Elkhart Foundry, photo by Paragon Inc , Elkhart, Indiana)

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Steps in Sand Casting

1. Pour molten metal into sand mold

2. Allow metal to solidify
3. Break up the mold to remove casting
4. Clean and inspect casting
5. Heat treatment of casting is sometimes required to
improve metallurgical properties

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Making the Sand Mold

• The cavity in the sand mold is formed by packing

sand around a pattern, then separating the mold into
two halves and removing the pattern
• The mold must also contain gating and riser system
• If casting is to have internal surfaces, a core must be
included in mold
• A new sand mold must be made for each part
produced

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.2 ‑ Steps in the production sequence in sand casting
The steps include not only the casting operation but also
pattern‑making and mold‑making

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 The Pattern

A full‑sized model of the part, slightly enlarged to

account for shrinkage and machining allowances in
the casting
• Pattern materials:
− Wood - common material because it is easy to
work, but it warps
− Metal - more expensive to make, but lasts much
longer
− Plastic - compromise between wood and metal

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.3 ‑ Types of patterns used in sand casting:
(a) solid pattern
(b) split pattern
(c) match‑plate pattern
(d) cope and drag pattern

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Core

Full‑scale model of interior surfaces of part

• It is inserted into the mold cavity prior to pouring
• The molten metal flows and solidifies between the
mold cavity and the core to form the casting's
external and internal surfaces
• May require supports to hold it in position in the mold
cavity during pouring, called chaplets

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.4 ‑ Core held in place in the mold cavity by
chaplets
(b) possible chaplet design
(c) casting with internal cavity

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Desirable Mold Properties and
Characteristics
• Strength ‑ to maintain shape and resist erosion
• Permeability ‑ to allow hot air and gases to pass
through voids in sand
• Thermal stability ‑ to resist cracking on contact with
molten metal
• Collapsibility ‑ ability to give way and allow casting to
shrink without cracking the casting
• Reusability ‑ can sand from broken mold be reused to
make other molds?

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Foundry Sands
Silica (SiO2) or silica mixed with other minerals
• Good refractory properties ‑ capacity to endure high
temperatures
• Small grain size yields better surface finish on the
cast part
• Large grain size is more permeable, to allow escape
of gases during pouring
• Irregular grain shapes tend to strengthen molds due
to interlocking, compared to round grains
− Disadvantage: interlocking tends to reduce
permeability

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Binders Used with Foundry Sands

• Sand is held together by a mixture of water and

bonding clay
− Typical mix: 90% sand, 3% water, and 7% clay
• Other bonding agents also used in sand molds:
− Organic resins (e g , phenolic resins)
− Inorganic binders (e g , sodium silicate and
phosphate)
• Additives are sometimes combined with the mixture
to enhance strength and/or permeability

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Types of Sand Mold

• Green‑sand molds - mixture of sand, clay, and water;

− “Green" means mold contains moisture at time of
pouring
• Dry‑sand mold - organic binders rather than clay and
mold is baked to improve strength
• Skin‑dried mold - drying mold cavity surface of a
green‑sand mold to a depth of 10 to 25 mm, using
torches or heating lamps

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Buoyancy in Sand Casting Operation

• During pouring, buoyancy of the molten metal tends

to displace the core
• Core displacement can cause casting to be defective
Force tending to lift core = weight of displaced liquid
less the weight of core itself
Fb = Wm ‑ Wc
where Fb = buoyancy force; Wm = weight of molten
metal displaced; and Wc = weight of core

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Other Expendable Mold
Casting Processes
• Shell Molding
• Vacuum Molding
• Expanded Polystyrene Process
• Investment Casting
• Plaster Mold and Ceramic Mold Casting

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Shell Molding

Casting process in which the mold is a thin shell of sand

held together by thermosetting resin binder
• Developed in Germany during early 1940s

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.5 ‑ Steps in shell‑molding: (1) a match‑plate or
cope‑and‑drag metal pattern is heated and placed over
a box containing sand mixed with thermosetting resin

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.5 ‑ Steps in shell‑molding: (2) box is inverted so that
sand and resin fall onto the hot pattern, causing a layer of the
mixture to partially cure on the surface to form a hard shell

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.5 ‑ Steps in shell‑molding: (3) box is repositioned
so that loose uncured particles drop away

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

Figure 11.5 ‑ Steps in shell‑molding:
(4) sand shell is heated in oven for several minutes to complete curing
(5) shell mold is stripped from the pattern

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

Figure 11.5 ‑ Steps in shell‑molding:
(6) two halves of the shell mold are assembled, supported by sand
or metal shot in a box, and pouring is accomplished
(7) the finished casting with sprue removed

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Advantages and Disadvantages
of Shell Molding
• Advantages:
− Smoother cavity surface permits easier flow of
molten metal and better surface finish on casting
− Good dimensional accuracy
− Machining often not required
− Mold collapsibility usually avoids cracks in casting
− Can be mechanized for mass production
• Disadvantages:
− More expensive metal pattern
− Difficult to justify for small quantities

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Vacuum Molding

Uses sand mold held together by vacuum pressure

rather than by a chemical binder
• The term "vacuum" refers to mold making rather than
casting operation itself
• Developed in Japan around 1970

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Advantages and Disadvantages of
Vacuum Molding
• Advantages:
− Easy recovery of the sand, since binders not used
− Sand does not require mechanical reconditioning
normally done when binders are used
− Since no water is mixed with sand,
moisture‑related defects are absent
• Disadvantages:
− Slow process
− Not readily adaptable to mechanization

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Expanded Polystyrene Process

Uses a mold of sand packed around a polystyrene foam

pattern which vaporizes when molten metal is poured
into mold
• Other names: lost‑foam process, lost pattern process,
evaporative‑foam process, and full‑mold process
• Polystyrene foam pattern includes sprue, risers,
gating system, and internal cores (if needed)
• Mold does not have to be opened into cope and drag
sections

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.7 ‑ Expanded polystyrene casting process:
(1) pattern of polystyrene is coated with refractory compound

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.7 ‑ Expanded polystyrene casting process:
(2) foam pattern is placed in mold box, and sand is
compacted around the pattern

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

Figure 11.7 ‑ Expanded polystyrene casting process:
(3) molten metal is poured into the portion of the pattern that forms
the pouring cup and sprue. As the metal enters the mold, the
polystyrene foam is vaporized ahead of the advancing liquid,
thus allowing the resulting mold cavity to be filled.

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Advantages and Disadvantages of
Expanded Polystyrene Process
• Advantages:
− Pattern need not be removed from the mold
− Simplifies and expedites mold‑making, since two
mold halves (cope and drag) are not required as in
a conventional green‑sand mold
• Disadvantages:
− A new pattern is needed for every casting
− Economic justification of the process is highly
dependent on cost of producing patterns

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Applications of
Expanded Polystyrene Process
• Mass production of castings for automobile engines
• Automated and integrated manufacturing systems are
used to
− Mold the polystyrene foam patterns and then
− Feed them to the downstream casting operation

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Investment Casting (Lost Wax Process)

A pattern made of wax is coated with a refractory

material to make mold, after which wax is melted
away prior to pouring molten metal
• "Investment" comes from one of the less familiar
definitions of "invest" - "to cover completely," which
refers to coating of refractory material around wax
pattern
• It is a precision casting process - capable of castings
of high accuracy and intricate detail

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.8 ‑ Steps in investment casting:
(1) wax patterns are produced
(2) several patterns are attached to a sprue to form a pattern tree

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

Figure 11.8 ‑ Steps in investment casting:
(3) the pattern tree is coated with a thin layer of refractory material
(4) the full mold is formed by covering the coated tree with sufficient
refractory material to make it rigid

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

Figure 11.8 ‑ Steps in investment casting:
(5) the mold is held in an inverted position and heated to melt the
wax and permit it to drip out of the cavity

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.8 ‑ Steps in investment
casting:
(6) the mold is preheated to a
high temperature, which
ensures that all contaminants
are eliminated from the mold;
it also permits the liquid metal
to flow more easily into the
detailed cavity; the molten
metal is poured; it solidifies

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.8 ‑ Steps in investment casting:
(7) the mold is broken away from the finished casting -
parts are separated from the sprue

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Advantages and Disadvantages of
Investment Casting
• Advantages:
− Parts of great complexity and intricacy can be cast
− Close dimensional control and good surface finish
− Wax can usually be recovered for reuse
− Additional machining is not normally required ‑ this
is a net shape process
• Disadvantages
− Many processing steps are required
− Relatively expensive process

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11 9 ‑ A one‑piece compressor stator with 108 separate
airfoils made by investment casting (courtesy Howmet Corp )

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Plaster Mold Casting

Similar to sand casting except mold is made of plaster

of Paris (gypsum ‑ CaSO4‑2H2O)
• In mold-making, plaster and water mixture is poured
over plastic or metal pattern and allowed to set
− Wood patterns not generally used due to extended
contact with water
• Plaster mixture readily flows around pattern,
capturing its fine details and good surface finish

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Advantages and Disadvantages of
Plaster Mold Casting
• Advantages:
− Good dimensional accuracy and surface finish
− Capability to make thin cross‑sections in casting
• Disadvantages:
− Moisture in plaster mold causes problems:
▪ Mold must be baked to remove moisture
▪ Mold strength is lost when is over-baked, yet
moisture content can cause defects in product
− Plaster molds cannot stand high temperatures, so
limited to lower melting point alloys

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Ceramic Mold Casting

Similar to plaster mold casting except that mold is made

of refractory ceramic materials that can withstand
higher temperatures than plaster
• Ceramic molding can be used to cast steels, cast
irons, and other high‑temperature alloys
• Applications similar to those of plaster mold casting
except for the metals cast
• Advantages (good accuracy and finish) also similar

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Permanent Mold Casting Processes

• Economic disadvantage of expendable mold casting:

a new mold is required for every casting
• In permanent mold casting, the mold is reused many
times
• The processes include:
− Basic permanent mold casting
− Die casting
− Centrifugal casting

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 The Basic Permanent Mold Process

Uses a metal mold constructed of two sections

designed for easy, precise opening and closing
• Molds used for casting lower melting point alloys are
commonly made of steel or cast iron
• Molds used for casting steel must be made of
refractory material, due to the very high pouring
temperatures

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.10 ‑ Steps in permanent mold casting:
(1) mold is preheated and coated

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.10 ‑ Steps in permanent mold casting:
(2) cores (if used) are inserted and mold is closed

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.10 ‑ Steps in permanent mold casting:
(3) molten metal is poured into the mold

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Advantages and Limitations of
Permanent Mold Casting
• Advantages:
− Good dimensional control and surface finish
− More rapid solidification caused by the cold metal
mold results in a finer grain structure, so stronger
castings are produced
• Limitations:
− Generally limited to metals of lower melting point
− Simple part geometries compared to sand casting
because of the need to open the mold
− High cost of mold

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Applications of Permanent Mold Casting

• Due to high mold cost, process is best suited to high

volume production and can be automated accordingly
• Typical parts: automotive pistons, pump bodies, and
certain castings for aircraft and missiles
• Metals commonly cast: aluminum, magnesium,
copper‑base alloys, and cast iron

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Die Casting

A permanent mold casting process in which molten

metal is injected into mold cavity under high pressure
• Pressure is maintained during solidification, then
mold is opened and part is removed
• Molds in this casting operation are called dies; hence
the name die casting
• Use of high pressure to force metal into die cavity is
what distinguishes this from other permanent mold
processes

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Die Casting Machines

• Designed to hold and accurately close two mold

halves and keep them closed while liquid metal is
forced into cavity
• Two main types:
1. Hot‑chamber machine
2. Cold‑chamber machine

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Hot-Chamber Die Casting

Metal is melted in a container, and a piston injects liquid

metal under high pressure into the die
• High production rates - 500 parts per hour not
uncommon
• Applications limited to low melting‑point metals that
do not chemically attack plunger and other
mechanical components
• Casting metals: zinc, tin, lead, and magnesium

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.13 ‑ Cycle in hot‑chamber casting:
(1) with die closed and plunger withdrawn, molten metal flows into
the chamber

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.13 ‑ Cycle in hot‑chamber casting:
(2) plunger forces metal in chamber to flow into die,
maintaining pressure during cooling and solidification

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Cold‑Chamber Die Casting Machine

Molten metal is poured into unheated chamber from

external melting container, and a piston injects metal
under high pressure into die cavity
• High production but not usually as fast as
hot‑chamber machines because of pouring step
• Casting metals: aluminum, brass, and magnesium
alloys
• Advantages of hot‑chamber process favor its use on
low melting‑point alloys (zinc, tin, lead)

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.14 ‑ Cycle in cold‑chamber casting:
(1) with die closed and ram withdrawn, molten metal
is poured into the chamber

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.14 ‑ Cycle in cold‑chamber casting:
(2) ram forces metal to flow into die, maintaining pressure during
cooling and solidification

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Molds for Die Casting

• Usually made of tool steel, mold steel, or maraging

steel
• Tungsten and molybdenum (good refractory qualities)
used to die cast steel and cast iron
• Ejector pins required to remove part from die when it
opens
• Lubricants must be sprayed into cavities to prevent
sticking

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Advantages and Limitations of
Die Casting
• Advantages:
− Economical for large production quantities
− Good dimensional accuracy and surface finish
− Thin sections are possible
− Rapid cooling provides small grain size and good
strength to casting
• Disadvantages:
− Generally limited to metals with low metal points
− Part geometry must allow removal from die cavity

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Centrifugal Casting

A group of casting processes in which the mold is

rotated at high speed so centrifugal force distributes
molten metal to outer regions of die cavity
• The group includes:
− True centrifugal casting
− Semicentrifugal casting
− Centrifuge casting

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 True Centrifugal Casting

Molten metal is poured into rotating mold to produce a

tubular part
• In some operations, mold rotation commences after
pouring rather than before
• Parts: pipes, tubes, bushings, and rings
• Outside shape of casting can be round, octagonal,
hexagonal, etc , but inside shape is (theoretically)
perfectly round, due to radially symmetric forces

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.15 ‑ Setup for true centrifugal casting

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Semicentrifugal Casting

Centrifugal force is used to produce solid castings

rather than tubular parts
• Molds are designed with risers at center to supply
feed metal
• Density of metal in final casting is greater in outer
sections than at center of rotation
• Often used on parts in which center of casting is
machined away, thus eliminating the portion where
quality is lowest
• Examples: wheels and pulleys

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Centrifuge Casting

• Mold is designed with part cavities located away from

axis of rotation, so that molten metal poured into mold
is distributed to these cavities by centrifugal force
• Used for smaller parts
• Radial symmetry of part is not required as in other
centrifugal casting methods

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Furnaces for Casting Processes

• Furnaces most commonly used in foundries:

− Cupolas
− Direct fuel‑fired furnaces
− Crucible furnaces
− Electric‑arc furnaces
− Induction furnaces

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Cupolas

Vertical cylindrical furnace equipped with tapping spout

near base
• Used only for cast irons, and although other furnaces
are also used, largest tonnage of cast iron is melted
in cupolas
• The "charge," consisting of iron, coke, flux, and
possible alloying elements, is loaded through a
charging door located less than halfway up height of
cupola

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Direct Fuel‑Fired Furnaces

Small open‑hearth in which charge is heated by natural

gas fuel burners located on side of furnace
• Furnace roof assists heating action by reflecting
flame down against charge
• At bottom of hearth is a tap hole to release molten
metal
• Generally used for nonferrous metals such as
copper‑base alloys and aluminum

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Crucible Furnaces

Metal is melted without direct contact with burning fuel

mixture
• Sometimes called indirect fuel‑fired furnaces
• Container (crucible) is made of refractory material or
high‑temperature steel alloy
• Used for nonferrous metals such as bronze, brass,
and alloys of zinc and aluminum
• Three types used in foundries: (a) lift‑out type, (b)
stationary, (c) tilting

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.19 ‑ Three types of crucible furnaces:
(a) lift‑out crucible,
(b) stationary pot, from which molten metal must be ladled, and
(c) tilting-pot furnace

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Electric‑Arc Furnaces

Charge is melted by heat generated from an electric arc

• High power consumption, but electric‑arc furnaces
can be designed for high melting capacity
• Used primarily for melting steel

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 6.9 ‑ Electric arc furnace for steelmaking

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Induction Furnaces

Uses alternating current passing through a coil to

develop magnetic field in metal
• Induced current causes rapid heating and melting
• Electromagnetic force field also causes mixing action
in liquid metal
• Since metal does not contact heating elements, the
environment can be closely controlled, which results
in molten metals of high quality and purity
• Melting steel, cast iron, and aluminum alloys are
common applications in foundry work

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Figure 11.20 ‑ Induction furnace

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Ladles
• Moving molten metal from melting furnace to mold is
sometimes done using crucibles
• More often, transfer is accomplished by ladles

Figure 11.21 ‑ Two common types of ladles: (a) crane ladle, and (b)
two‑man ladle

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Additional Steps After Solidification

• Trimming
• Removing the core
• Surface cleaning
• Inspection
• Repair, if required
• Heat treatment

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Trimming

Removal of sprues, runners, risers, parting‑line flash,

fins, chaplets, and any other excess metal from the
cast part
• For brittle casting alloys and when cross‑sections are
relatively small, appendages can be broken off
• Otherwise, hammering, shearing, hack‑sawing,
band‑sawing, abrasive wheel cutting, or various torch
cutting methods are used

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Removing the Core

• If cores have been used, they must be removed

• Most cores are bonded, and they often fall out of
casting as the binder deteriorates
• In some cases, they are removed by shaking casting,
either manually or mechanically
• In rare cases, cores are removed by chemically
dissolving bonding agent
• Solid cores must be hammered or pressed out

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Surface Cleaning

Removal of sand from casting surface and otherwise

enhancing appearance of surface
• Cleaning methods: tumbling, air‑blasting with coarse
sand grit or metal shot, wire brushing, buffing, and
chemical pickling
• Surface cleaning is most important for sand casting,
whereas in many permanent mold processes, this
step can be avoided
• Defects are possible in casting, and inspection is
needed to detect their presence

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Heat Treatment

• Castings are often heat treated to enhance properties

• Reasons for heat treating a casting:
− For subsequent processing operations such as
machining
− To bring out the desired properties for the
application of the part in service

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Casting Quality

• There are numerous opportunities for things to go

wrong in a casting operation, resulting in quality
defects in the product
• The defects can be classified as follows:
− Defects common to all casting processes
− Defects related to sand casting process

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Misrun
A casting that has solidified before completely filling
mold cavity

Figure 11.22 ‑ Some common defects in castings: (a) misrun

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Cold Shut
Two portions of metal flow together but there is a lack of
fusion due to premature freezing

Figure 11.22 ‑ Some common defects in castings: (b) cold shut

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Cold Shot
Metal splatters during pouring and solid globules form
and become entrapped in casting

Figure 11.22 ‑ Some common defects in castings: (c) cold shot

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Shrinkage Cavity
Depression in surface or internal void caused by
solidification shrinkage that restricts amount of molten
metal available in last region to freeze

Figure 11.22 ‑ Some common defects in castings: (d) shrinkage cavity

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Sand Blow
Balloon‑shaped gas cavity caused by release of mold
gases during pouring

Figure 11.23 ‑ Common defects in sand castings: (a) sand blow

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Pin Holes
Formation of many small gas cavities at or slightly
below surface of casting

Figure 11.23 ‑ Common defects in sand castings: (b) pin holes

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Penetration
When fluidity of liquid metal is high, it may penetrate
into sand mold or sand core, causing casting surface
to consist of a mixture of sand grains and metal

Figure 11.23 ‑ Common defects in sand castings: (e) penetration

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Mold Shift
A step in cast product at parting line caused by sidewise
relative displacement of cope and drag

Figure 11.23 ‑ Common defects in sand castings: (f) mold shift

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Foundry Inspection Methods

• Visual inspection to detect obvious defects such as

misruns, cold shuts, and severe surface flaws
• Dimensional measurements to insure that tolerances
have been met
• Metallurgical, chemical, physical, and other tests
concerned with quality of cast metal

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Metals for Casting

• Most commercial castings are made of alloys rather

than pure metals
− Alloys are generally easier to cast, and properties
of product are better
• Casting alloys can be classified as:
− Ferrous
− Nonferrous

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Ferrous Casting Alloys: Cast Iron

• Most important of all casting alloys

• Tonnage of cast iron castings is several times that of
all other metals combined
• Several types: (1) gray cast iron, (2) nodular iron, (3)
white cast iron, (4) malleable iron, and (5) alloy cast
irons
• Typical pouring temperatures ∼ 1400°C (2500°F),
depending on composition

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Ferrous Casting Alloys: Steel

• The mechanical properties of steel make it an

attractive engineering material
• The capability to create complex geometries makes
casting an attractive shaping process
• Difficulties faced by the foundry working with steel:
− Pouring temperature of steel is higher than for
most other casting metals ∼ 1650°C (3000°F)
− At these temperatures, steel readily oxidizes, so
molten metal must be isolated from air
− Molten steel has relatively poor fluidity

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Nonferrous Casting Alloys: Aluminum

• Generally considered to be very castable

• Pouring temperatures low – melting temperature of
aluminum Tm = 660°C (1220°F)
• Properties:
− Light weight
− Range of strength properties by heat treatment
− Ease of machining

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

Nonferrous Casting Alloys: Copper Alloys

• Includes bronze, brass, and aluminum bronze

• Properties:
− Corrosion resistance
− Attractive appearance
− Good bearing qualities
• Limitation: high cost of copper
• Applications: pipe fittings, marine propeller blades,
pump components, ornamental jewelry

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Nonferrous Casting Alloys: Zinc Alloys

• Highly castable, commonly used in die casting

• Low melting point – melting point of zinc Tm = 419°C
(786°F)
• Good fluidity for ease of casting
• Properties:
− Low creep strength, so castings cannot be
subjected to prolonged high stresses

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Product Design Considerations:
Geometric Simplicity
• Although casting can be used to produce complex
part geometries, simplifying the part design will
improve castability
• Avoiding unnecessary complexities:
− Simplifies mold‑making
− Reduces the need for cores
− Improves the strength of the casting

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Product Design Considerations:
Corners
• Sharp corners and angles should be avoided, since
they are sources of stress concentrations and may
cause hot tearing and cracks
• Generous fillets should be designed on inside corners
and sharp edges should be blended

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Product Design Considerations:
Draft Guidelines
• In expendable mold casting, purpose of draft is to
facilitate removal of pattern from mold (1° for sand
casting)
• In permanent mold casting, purpose is to aid in
removal of the part from the mold (2° to 3° for
permanent mold processes)
• Similar tapers should be allowed if solid cores are
used

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 • Minor changes in part design can reduce need for
coring

Figure 11.25 – Design change to eliminate the need for using a core:
(a) original design, and (b) redesign

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Product Design Considerations:
Dimensional Tolerances and Surface Finish

Significant differences in dimensional accuracies and

finishes can be achieved in castings, depending on
process:
• Poor dimensional accuracies and finish for sand
casting
• Good dimensional accuracies and finish for die
casting and investment casting

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

 Product Design Considerations:
Machining Allowances
• Almost all sand castings must be machined to
achieve the required dimensions and part features
• Additional material, called the machining allowance,
must be left on the casting in those surfaces where
machining is necessary
• Typical machining allowances for sand castings are
around 1.5 and 3 mm (1/16 and 1/4 in)

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,