Aluminum is a lightweight metal. It is significantly lighter than iron be incredibly strong. At low temperatures, its strength increases, while at high temperatures, its strength decreases. Because of its low density, aluminum can be easily manufactured, and its malleability makes it easy to be extruded. This allows aluminum to be used for numerous projects.
Aluminum Foundries
To process the aluminum, use an Aluminum Foundry & Casting Near Me. These companies create aluminum castings by heating aluminum and then pouring it into hollow molds. Aluminum foundries usually purchase aluminum in the form of ingots from a primary producer or a recycler. If the foundry is located close to a primary smelter, they can purchase the aluminum in molten form.
Casting Techniques
Sand castings are molds made of a specific mix of sand, clay, and moisture. After the mold is made, molten aluminum is poured into the empty mold. Once the aluminum hardens, the sand is removed, leaving just the metal. This is an inexpensive type of molding, and is frequently used when making small quantities of items. The main disadvantage is that sand casting is a slow process.
Shell mold casting uses a pre-made mold made of prebaked sand. It works the same way as a sand casting, but the finished result has a smoother finish. Permanent mold castings are much stronger and more durable. These are molds made of iron or steel, and pressure is used to fill the mold with liquid aluminum. Permanent mold castings are the strongest kind of castings.
For more intricate details on aluminum, investment casting is often used. This process involves two or more permanent molds with a wax linin that contains the details of the mold. This is dipped into a ceramic liquid, which then dries and hardens. The wax is heated and drained, which creates a hollow area to pour the aluminum for molding. This allows the intricate details on the mold to be transferred to the aluminum.
Expendable pattern casting uses a pattern made from polystyrene beads covered by a specific sand pack. Once liquid aluminum is poured into the mold, the polystyrene vaporizes, leaving only the aluminum. This allows a casting that is the exact dimensions of the mold, reducing finishing costs and increasing the ability to make more complex designs. This also reduces the cost of casting aluminum.
Uses for Casted Aluminum
Aluminum castings are used widely in the automobile industry. More than half of the aluminum used in cars is made in foundries and has been since the early 1900s. Some components of lawn mowers, hand tools, small appliances, and other machinery are cast in aluminum foundries around the world. Cookware was the first aluminum product produced for everyday use. The aerospace industry uses aluminum products because of their light weight. Power grids and electrical transmission lines now use aluminum as a base instead of copper because of its excellent conductivity and lower cost.
The industry of aluminum casting has advanced and evolved through the years. It is a necessary and helpful industry, providing products for a variety of manufacturing needs.
