By: Julia Aidan
Submitted: 2010-04-08 21:38:06 | Word Count: 482
When molten metal is poured into a mould it takes a shape and is thus known as casting. Other than metal, casting is also utilized to shape alloys, glass and plastics.Metal mcasting is used to prepare various things and is in use for a long time. In ancient times, gold and copper were used to make 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 castings are use in making furnaces and moulds to withstand high temperature. Creating machinery for mass manufacture of goods was possible by metal casting leading to economic revival. Metal casting has become popular today that is affordable.
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Individuals are concerned to metal casting as a hobby to give form to artistic creativity or use in the industrial level to develop 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 ordinary 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 very high temperature.
Sand casting is the traditional method used for metal casting. A hollow mould of the item 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 free 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 procedure of hollow casting or lost wax casting to make sculptures and give shape to creative ideas. Hollow casting reduces the weight of the sculpture. In lost wax, casting the form of the sculpture is made of wax and coated in clay and plaster with a little hole at the bottom. Then heat is applied to harden the clay and plaster while the wax melts and is released through the hole at the bottom. Then molten metal is filled into the mould and after cooling the clay and plaster is cut away to expose the sculpture. Anyone can practice the art of metal casting, considered an enjoyable and rewarding craft, with a certain amount of knowledge and skill.
