Answer
For sand casting, sand is the mold material and a two-piece mold is used. Ordinarily the surface finish is not an important consideration. The sand may be reused (but the mold may not) and casting rates are low and large pieces are usually cast.
For die casting, a permanent mold is used, casting rates are high, the molten metal is forced into the mold under pressure, a two-piece mold is used, and small pieces are normally cast.
For investment casting, a single-piece mold is used, which is not reusable; it results in high dimensional accuracy, good reproduction of detail, and a fine surface finish. Casting rates are low.
For lost foam casting, the pattern is polystyrene foam, whereas the mold material is sand. Complex geometries and tight tolerances are possible. Casting rates are higher than for investment, and there are few environmental wastes.
For continuous casting, at the conclusion of the extraction process, the molten metal is cast into a continuous strand having either a rectangular or circular cross-section; these shapes are desirable for subsequent secondary metal-forming operations. The chemical composition and mechanical properties are relatively uniform throughout the cross-section.
Work Step by Step
For sand casting, sand is the mold material and a two-piece mold is used. Ordinarily the surface finish is not an important consideration. The sand may be reused (but the mold may not) and casting rates are low and large pieces are usually cast.
For die casting, a permanent mold is used, casting rates are high, the molten metal is forced into the mold under pressure, a two-piece mold is used, and small pieces are normally cast.
For investment casting, a single-piece mold is used, which is not reusable; it results in high dimensional accuracy, good reproduction of detail, and a fine surface finish; and casting rates are low.
For lost foam casting, the pattern is polystyrene foam, whereas the mold material is sand. Complex geometries and tight tolerances are possible. Casting rates are higher than for investment, and there are few environmental wastes.
For continuous casting, at the conclusion of the extraction process, the molten metal is cast into a continuous strand having either a rectangular or circular cross-section; these shapes are desirable for subsequent secondary metal-forming operations. The chemical composition and mechanical properties are relatively uniform throughout the cross-section.
