Knowra Sand casting Sand casting Sand casting is a metal-forming process in which molten metal solidifies in a cavity formed in a sand mold. The mold is usually broken to release the casting.
Pattern (casting) : A shaped model used to form the cavity for a casting in a mold. Its geometry creates the mold cavity, often with allowances for shrinkage and machining.
Foundry sand : Refractory granular material used to form molds and cores for metal casting. Its grain size, shape, and thermal properties affect mold strength and casting finish.
Engine block : The main structural body of an internal-combustion engine, containing cylinders and supporting major components. Complex engine blocks have long been made with sand molds and internal cores.
Investment casting : A casting process that forms a ceramic mold around a disposable wax pattern. It can produce finer detail and smoother surfaces, but generally requires more elaborate pattern preparation.
Shrinkage porosity : Voids that form in a casting when liquid metal cannot compensate for volume loss during solidification. Poor feeding from a riser can leave internal shrinkage defects in a sand-cast part.
Green sand : A moist molding mixture of sand, clay, and water used to make molds without prior baking. It is a common mold material because it can be shaped, reused, and vented.
Bentonite : A clay mineral that absorbs water and swells, commonly used as a binder in foundry sand. It binds green-sand grains so the mold retains its shape during pouring.
Pump housing : A casing that encloses a pump’s internal components and directs fluid through it. Sand casting accommodates the thick sections and irregular passages common in pump housings.
Die casting : A process that forces molten metal into a reusable metal die under pressure. Its reusable dies enable fast, precise production, unlike sand molds that are typically broken after use.
Gas porosity : Small cavities in a casting caused by gas trapped or dissolved in the molten metal. Moisture and inadequate venting can let gas pores form during sand casting.
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