Metal casting dates back seven thousand years. It is used in manufacturing metalwork and jewelry and is widely used within the art industry. Molten metal is transported from a crucible into a mold during metal casting to make a positive metal cast product. But can you bend cast metal?
Not all cast metals can bend. Each metal has its own distinct property that either inhibits or allows them to bend. For example, cast steel is stronger than cast aluminum; it can bend more in comparison to the latter. Some important facts are listed below:
Cast Iron Has Higher Castability
Cast iron is a very simple material to work with, since it flows smoothly and does not shrink as much as steel. This means it can easily fill intricate cavities in a mold while using less molten material. Because of its viscosity, cast iron is an excellent metal for architectural or decorative ironwork constructions, including fences and seats.
Cast Iron Has Lower Malleability
Regardless of how careful you are, cast iron and bronze are likely to break if bent. Cast iron is less malleable, hard and brittle, which means that it can’t be bent, hammered or shaped by stretching due to its weaker mechanical strength.
Wrought Iron Has Higher Malleability
The tensile strength of wrought iron is much greater than that of cast iron, making it more suitable for a variety of applications such as bending the fences and shaping them into desirable shapes.
Cast Steel Has Low Malleability
Cast steel, on the other hand, can be bent due to its more malleable properties. Even in a liquid state when the casting is being done, steel has a better, smoother flow but more shrinkage rate.
Cast Steel Has Higher Impact Resistance
Steel is exceptional at absorbing shock without bending, deforming, or breaking. This is because it is tough: it can sustain severe pressure and strain forces.
The aforementioned details about cast metals help us better understand how each metal is distinct in its properties and functionality.
What Are The Different Types Of Metal Casting?
Metal casting’s numerous and diverse applications have made it a valued production technology for a wide range of industries. There are a variety of metal castings; a few are listed below:
- Die Casting
- Lost Wax Casting
- Gravity Casting
- Sand Casting
Metal casting may be utilized to create even the most complicated and customized items while being a time and cost-efficient metalworking procedure. There are various advantages to using metal casting over other metallurgical methods.
The Advantages of Metal Casting
The following are the advantages of using metal casting instead of other alternatives.
- Material adaptability
- Can fabricate items with very thick walls
- Perfect for some lightweight alloys
- Capable of mass manufacture
- Can manufacture large and heavy materials
- Ideal for heavy one-piece items (rather than combined components)
- Excellent mechanical properties
Conclusion
Metal casting technologies have been used for decades to create sculptures, jewelry, transport, weaponry, and equipment. However, not all cast metals, such as cast iron, are bendable, but others can easily be shaped, such as aluminum and steel.
