Understanding Foundry Processes: From Melting to Final Casting

As outlined in Testbook’s article, “Foundry: Learn the Definition, Process, and Applications,” foundries are pivotal to our modern standard of living and industrial progress. A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings by melting metal into liquid form, pouring it into molds, and allowing it to cool and solidify before removing the mold material. This method is used to craft parts in various shapes and sizes.

The two most commonly used metals in foundries are cast iron and aluminum, though materials such as steel, bronze, brass, magnesium, and zinc are also employed. Foundries are categorized either by the materials cast, such as steel or light alloys, or by the processes used, such as die casting or shell molding.

The casting process generally involves eight stages: pattern creation, mold making, melting, pouring, ejection, cleaning, fettling, and inspection. Melting is a critical step, typically performed in electric furnaces that heat metals and alloys to temperatures between 1317°C and 1757°C. Once molten, the metal is tapped into a ladle for pouring, with impurities skimmed off the surface before the metal is cast into molds.

Foundries play a critical role in producing components for industries ranging from automotive to construction, demonstrating their essential place in global manufacturing.

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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of Testbook.