CASTING SOURCE

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STEEL SAND CASTINGS

CAST - MACHINED - FINISHED

Steel sand casting is an easy and economical process to create basic part shape. Sand casting is the oldest, most common, and simplest of the casting processes. The sand casting process is also the least costly of the casting processes. Normally the sand casting process is used for low temperature alloys, such as aluminum, copper, iron, magnesium, and nickel alloys. However, it can be used for higher temperature metals, such as steel and stainless steel, especially for the production of very large parts. Steel sand castings are also used to make prototypes, due to the the speed and relative low cost of production.

The steel sand casting process is very simple. A pattern is made in wood, plastic, or metal. Simple steel sand castings can be made in a single piece, called a solid pattern. More complex designs are made in two parts, called split patterns. The patterns are then packed into sand, with a binder, which helps harden the sand into a semi-permanent shape. Once the sand mold is cured, the pattern is removed, leaving a hollow space in the shape of the desired part. Cores can be inserted into the mold to create holes and to improve the net shape. Steel is then poured into the mold. When the material cools the sand is removed, and the steel sand casting is ready for secondary operations, such as machining and finishing.