Casting Process Comparison Chart
Use the table below to help you select the ideal casting process for your
application.
|
|
SAND MOLDS
(click below for more info)
|
METAL MOLDS
(click below for more info)
|
ALUMINUM TOOLING
(click below for more info)
|
|
|
Green Sand Pattern
|
Dry Sand Pattern
|
Shell Pattern
|
Permanent
Mold
|
Die
Cast
Mold
|
Investment Cast
Tools |
Plaster Mold
|
|
Primary Mold Materials
|
Sand
+
Clay Binder
+
Moisture
|
Sand
+
Oil Binder
+
Oven Baked
|
Sand
+
Resin Binder
+
Oven Cure
|
Cast Iron or Steel
|
Hardened Steel
|
Silica Sand
+
Special Binder
+
Air & Oven Cure
|
Gypsum
+
Water
|
|
Metals Cast
|
Most Metals
|
Most Metals
|
Most Metals
|
Aluminum, Zinc
|
Alloys of Aluminum, Zinc, Magnesium
|
Aluminum, stainless, carbon steel |
Aluminum, Brass, Bronze |
|
Surface Finish
|
Rough
|
Rough
|
Smooth
|
Smooth
|
Very Smooth
|
Very Smooth
|
Very Smooth
|
|
Accuracy of Casting
|
Not Very Accurate
|
Not Very Accurate
|
Fairly Accurate
|
Fairly
Accurate
|
Very
Accurate
|
Very
Accurate
|
Fairly Accurate
|
|
Normal Weight
|
< 1 lb to
Several Tons
|
< 1 lb to
Several Tons
|
1/2 lb to
30 Lbs
|
< 1 Lb to
50 lbs
|
< 1 lb to
20 lbs
|
< 1 Ounce to
40 lbs
|
< 1 lb to
40 lbs
|
|
Cost of Mold or Die
|
Low
|
Low
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
High
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
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