Calmet - Investment casting foundry | Aluminum casting foundry in Wilmington

Cast iron is used in a wide variety of structural and decorative applications, because it is relatively inexpensive, durable and easily cast into a variety of shapes. The basic cast iron material may appear to be the same, or very similar, however, the component size, composition, use, condition and other factors dictate that different treatments be used to correct similar problems. Some of the most notable characteristics of iron casting are its lower melting point than steel which makes it cheaper to produce, its good wear resistance, its excellent machinability, its tensile strength and the ease with which intricate designs can be produced. Castings are used virtually everywhere. Gray iron and Flake Graphite is used for making fly wheels, machine bases . engine blocks, piston rings, brake, discs and drums . The wide range of applications where the iron casting is used also include agricultural equipment, for pipe fittings, automobile engine blocks ,to name a few. Iron casting can also be modified through the manufacturing process to optimize its mechanical and physical properties, such as strength and durability. The largest use of gray iron castings is the motor vehicle industry. Gray iron casting is ideal for machine blocks because it can be cast into complex shapes at a relatively low cost. Other casting applications for gray iron include compressor housings for appliances and other equipment.