Countless industries cannot function without castings. By pouring liquid metal into a mold, then allowing it to cool and solidify, these metal parts form intricate shapes that are nearly impossible to imitate using other methods. Alloys are also a very popular casting material, although you can use just one metal, such as iron, to make castings. Read on to learn what you need to know about alloy castings!

What is an alloy?
Most metals used in castings and other metalworking processes are not metals at all. Instead, they are alloys. Alloys are the combination of metals with other substances to make them stronger, lighter or better in some way. Substances paired with the primary metal are called alloying agents. The alloying agent can be another metal or a completely different chemical element. Compared to the primary metals, they are present in much smaller amounts (sometimes less than 1% of the total) but have a significant impact on the quality of the casting.

What should be considered when choosing a casting alloy?
There are many different types of alloys used to make castings, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, a number of factors need to be considered when selecting a casting alloy. Some specific considerations include strength, durability, yield, corrosion resistance, cost, stability, and more. For example, if your project requires corrosion-resistant components with high strength, aluminum or copper-based alloys may be a valid choice. The alloy you use for castings depends on what factors your project requires.