Investment casting is considered one of the most important manufacturing processes, as many industries use casting products. Even people use several items made by casting daily. We can create any type of design with investment casting, regardless of its size and complexity. Investment casting is the ultimate solution, no matter what shape, size, or form you want for your product.
We can use different materials for investment casting, but aluminum and stainless steel are the two most commonly used materials, as they both offer immense advantages.
As both investment casting materials are beneficial, it is necessary to understand the difference between cast stainless steel and cast aluminum. Based on this, you can make a better decision that will benefit your business and your customers. Working with a reputable investment casting manufacturer will help you get all the benefits you are looking for.
Stainless Steel Casting & Aluminum Casting
For manufacturing aluminum and stainless steel castings, the metal is first melted at a specific temperature and then poured into the mold with the desired shape. After that, the metal is cooled and hardened. The entire casting process is based on the solidification of the metal. Once the metal has solidified, the cast aluminum or stainless steel is removed from the mold by breaking or ejecting it.
Although we can use casting to produce any shape, still the process is common for creating complex shapes. This process is economical for producing forms that cannot be made with any other type of process or are too expensive. What is surprising is that this process is not a new technique and has been used since antiquity. However, nowadays, it is used to create various objects such as weapons, tools, jewelry, sculptures, etc.
The expendable or non-expendable procedure is based on the specification requirements of the finished product. The manufacturer chooses the process according to the type of material, casting method, and some other factors.
Cast Stainless Steel vs. Cast Aluminum: Which is Better?
- Strength
The casting process for stainless steel is relatively stronger than aluminum and has been used in various applications and industries. If we compare the strength, both are equally strong, but cast stainless steel appears superior.
- Weight
Cast aluminum is lighter than cast stainless steel because of its lower density.
- Corrosion Resistant
Both processes exhibit excellent corrosion resistance when exposed to water or other neutral fluids.
The surface of cast stainless steel or cast aluminum contains a chromium oxide layer that protects the products from corrosion. In addition, cast aluminum does not have iron, which reduces or eliminates the risk of rusting.
However, if cast stainless steel is faced with more aggressive corrosion, such as the use of highly acidic or basic substances or marine environments, it still offers more excellent corrosion resistance.
- Cost
Cast stainless steel tends to cost more, but the total cost depends on many factors, such as the types of metals cast. The prices of cast stainless steel and cast aluminum are also different.
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