Metal Casting- An Enjoyable And Rewarding Craft

By Author: Jamie Hanson
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Casting is the process of making solid objects by pouring molten material into a predetermined shaped mould and allowing it to cool. Other than metal, casting is also utilized to shape alloys, glass and plastics.Metal casting has been in practice since the dawn of civilization till today, to manufacture items of practical use, religious symbols and artistic creativity. In ancient times, gold and copper were used to fabricate items by the process of metal casting followed by bronze and iron. Zinc casting is in use as it is lightweight and has a good finish.

Industrial Revolution of the eighteenth century changed the course of history. Metal casting played a pivotal role in shaping the furnaces used to melt metals at high temperatures and moulds used to make new items. Creating machinery for mass manufacture of goods was possible by metal casting leading to economic resurgence. Metal casting has become popular today that is affordable.

Individuals are attracted to metal casting as a hobby to give form to artistic creativity or use in the industrial level to improve efficiency and cut costs. Knowledge of equipments ...
... clubbed with creativity is essential. Metal casting as a procedure helps in restoration projects, make hard to find pieces for models and even common replacement objects for household items. With time to spare and creativeness to impart you can do anything with metal casting. Metal casting requires proper awareness and caution as it involves working with molten metal melted at extremely high temperature.

Sand casting is the traditional method used for metal casting. A hollow mould of the object to be produced is given shape in a mixture of damp sand and clay. Then molten metal is poured into the mould and allowed to cool. After it solidifies the sand mould is broken to let go the casting. Dies are used today for mass production. In this procedure, the molten metal is injected under pressure into the cooled dies. Another industrial process of metal casting is called "continuous casting", wherein molten metal is poured into hollow, water-cooled mould of specific cross section to shape bars and slabs.

Artists and sculptors use the method of hollow casting or lost wax casting to produce sculptures and give shape to creative ideas. Hollow casting ensures uniform thickness and reduces the weight when creating large sculptures. In lost wax, casting the model of the sculpture is made of wax and coated in clay and plaster with a minute hole at the bottom. Heat hardens the plaster and clay and the wax is drained out. Then molten metal is filled into the mould and after cooling the clay and plaster is cut away to expose the sculpture. Practicing metal casting is easy and is a fascinating craft.

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