
Aluminum is amongst those metals which can be ‘cast’ by every process used in metal casting. These processes, in descending order of quantity of aluminum casting are: die casting, permanent mold casting, sand casting, plaster casting, investment casting, and continuous casting. The casting process is selected on the basis of factors such as cost, feasibility, quality, etc.
Feasibility is not a problem, as all the above methods are quite practicable. However, the most suitable casting method can be decided according to the design features or dimensions. For instance-Large products are made using sand casting. The quality factor is also important in selecting the casting process. Quality refers to both, mechanical properties (ductility and strength) and soundness (surface imperfections, cracking, and porosity freedom).
The methods most commonly used can be described as follows:
Die Casting: As per the statistics, around $2.5m worth of die-castings of aluminum alloys are produced in the US alone every year. The process of die casting utilizes almost two times the tonnage of aluminum alloys as the combination of other casting processes. Die casting is best suited for large quantity production of relatively tiny parts. Aluminum die castings upto 50 Kg of weight can be produced if casting-machine costs and high tooling are justified.
Some common applications of die cast aluminum alloys are inclusive of alloy 380.0 for Lawnmower housings, Alloy A380.0 for streetlamps housings, dental equipment, typewriter frames, Alloy 360.0 for frying skillets, instrument cases, cover plates, parts needing corrosion resistance, Alloy 413.0 for outboard parts of motor like connecting rods, pistons, housing, and Alloy 518.1 for conveyor components, escalator parts, aircraft, marine hardware.
Die castings cannot be easily heated or welded due to entrapped gases. Efforts are being on the war footing to overcome this obstacle. The die castings of aluminum alloys are generally produced using aluminum -silicon-copper alloys. This alloy family gives an excellent combination of corrosion resistance, strength, and cost, along with respite from ‘hot shortness’ and high fluidity which are mandatory for easy casting. If one desires a better resistance to corrosion, he should make use of alloys having a lower copper content.
‘Permanent Mold’ casting: ‘Permanent mold’ casting is best suited for high-volume production. Their size is larger than ‘die castings’. These castings have a very low pouring rate. They are gravity-fed. Outstanding mechanical properties are exhibited by ‘permanent mold’ castings. There is a lot of scope for further improvement if they are given heat treatment.
Some of the most common alloys of ‘aluminum permanent mold casting’ include Alloy 366.0 for automotive pistons, Alloys 355.0, A357.0, C355.0 for impellers, timing gears, compressors, missile and aircraft components, Alloys A356.0, 356.0 for aircraft wheels, parts of machine tools, pump parts, valve bodies, marine hardware, and 296.0, 333.0, 319.0.
Sand casting: This type of casting involves formation of casting mold (with sand). It is inclusive of conservative sand casting & lost-foam casting. The first one involves forming a pattern of sand, pouring the molten metal into it and breaking it once the product is formed. Lost-foam pattern involves putting a dispensable pattern of polystyrene in the mold. The rest of the procedure is the same as conservative sand casting.
About the Author:
Go to Metal Casting Zone to get your free ebook on Metal Casting at http://www.metalcastingzone.com. Metal Casting Zone also has a Metal Casting Forum, Metal Casting Information, and a Metal Casting Blog that can all be found at http://www.metalcastingzone.com. Go to http://www.metalcastingzone.com to see the latest information on Metal Casting that has been added.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Aluminum Information and the Process of Aluminum Casting
C.Scope CS 1220R Metal Detector
![]() |
![]() Locs Hardcore Shades Modified Rectangular Urban Thug Loc SunglassesWhite US $9.95
|
![]() Grand Theft Auto Vice City Vol 1 V Rock US $4.99
|
![]() New Green Laser Sight Rifle Gun Scope Switch 2 Mount US $9.99
|
![]() US Patent for the DEAGAN MARIMBA Xylophone 080 US $13.95
|
![]() HUMBUCKER PICKUP Guitar Patent Seth Lover 1959 733 US $13.95
|
![]() Lehigh Valley RAILROAD Silver WATER THERMOS Patent 479 US $13.95
|
![]() NATIONAL DUOLIAN TRIOLIAN Resonator Guitar Patent 746 US $13.95
|
![]() NATIONAL DUOLIAN TRIOLIAN Resonator Guitar Patent 747 US $13.95
|
![]() NATIONAL RESONATOR GUITAR Patent Resophonic 1 of 2 730 US $13.95
|
![]() NATIONAL RESONATOR GUITAR Patent Resophonic 2 of 2 731 US $13.95
|
![]() ORVIS FLY REEL Fishing PATENT 1874 831 US $13.95
|
![]() box set w 2 switches rail mount hunting rifle green laser sight dot scope US $34.99
|
![]() 24 LCD Video Snake Scope 4M Endoscope Borescope Camera 10mm USB SD Card US $167.50
|
![]() Immersion by Pendulum UK CD Jan 2011 Atlantic US $8.25
|
![]() Huge Geotechnical Training Course Collection Bundle US $50.99
|
![]() 24 Inspection Camera Borescope Endoscope Video Snake Scope USB FREE SD Card US $134.90
|
![]() Ten by Pearl Jam CD clean copy Jeremy Alive US $1.99
|
![]()
Norpro Stainless Steel Scoop, 56MM (4 Tablespoon)
|
List Price: |
|
|
![]() |
Norpro Stainless Steel Scoop, 1 Tablespoon, 35mm
List Price: |
![]() |
Zyliss 71372 Metal Ice-Cream Scoop with Ergonomic Plastic Handle |
![]() |
MAGLITE ASXD026 D-Cell Flashlight Mounting Bracket
List Price: |
![]() |
UTG 2-in-1 Tactical LED Flashlight with Red Laser
List Price: |
![]() |
Wide Angle Peephole Door Viewer Door Scope 2- 3/8" Silver ABS
Sale Price: $15.95 |
![]() |
The Shape of This Country
Sale Price: $1.99 |
![]() |
VIRTUOSO - Kila Labs Cardiology Quality Dual Diaphragm Steel Stethoscope |
![]() |
Sporicidin Sterilizing and Disinfecting Solution, Gallon bottle, 4 bottles / case
List Price: |
![]() |
Sporicidin Indicator Kit, 60 glutaraldehyde test strips plus 60 phenol test strips, 4 kits/case
List Price: |
![]() |
PHANTEKS PH-TC14PE_RD 5 x ?8mm Dual Heat-Pipes, Dual 140mm Premium Fans, Quiet CPU Cooler with Patented P.A.T.S Coating
List Price: |
![]() |
44 Magnum
List Price: |
![]() |
AmScope 10x-20x-30x-60x Student Binocular Stereo Microscope with Incident (Top) and Transmitted (Bottom) Lights
List Price: |
![]() |
Old Tex Rifle
List Price: |
![]() |
MSR Racing Metal Mulisha Scope Men's MX/Off-Road/Dirt Bike Motorcycle Jersey w/ Free B&F Heart Sticker Bundle - Black/Grey/Red |
![]() |
MSR Racing Velocity Metal Mulisha Scope Men's Off-Road Motorcycle Helmet - Matte |
![]() |
MSR Racing Metal Mulisha Scope Men's Motocross/Off-Road/Dirt Bike Motorcycle Gloves w/ Free B&F Heart Sticker Bundle - Black/Grey/Red |
![]() |
Discovering Metal Detecting on a Thailand Beach
List Price: |
![]() |
Mechanical Metallurgy (Materials Science & Engineering)
Sale Price: $29.82 |
![]() |
Daisy Air Rifles & BB Guns The First 100 Years
Sale Price: $139.98 |



US $3.50






































![Significant Other PA] ECD] by Limp Bizkit CD Jun 1999 Interscope USA](http://www.shotrate.com/images/e/200760711905_0.jpg)





































![Pearl Jam Ten Deluxe Edition CDDVD] 2009 New Sealed 10](http://www.shotrate.com/images/e/160802742768_0.jpg)





















