Steel casting is a complex craft of forming and assembling molten steel into large and complex casting pieces such as large scale machine components, structural components and pipe fittings. This process requires the skilled guidance of expert technicians to ensure the successful outcome of a steel casting project.
The steel casting process begins with the selection of the best raw material for the intended final product. The raw material chosen for a steel casting project will vary greatly depending on the type of steel and its intended application. The best raw material is typically chosen based on its strength, hardness, ductility and its ability to withstand heat.
After the selection of the raw material, the casting process starts. Typically, molten steel is poured into a mold form which is then allowed to solidify. This process involves a number of steps and stages including tapping, spruing, de-gassing, and cleaning. After the solidification of the steel has occurred, the mold is removed and any imperfections must be hand-filed and/or machined away.
Steel casting is a complex, skill-based process that requires the continuous attention of a skilled technician. A technician will need to monitor the temperature of the molten steel to ensure that it cools at the right rate. Any changes in the temperature of the steel could cause the steel to cool too quickly and could lead to the development of surface flaws.
Once all of the preparatory steps have been completed, the steel casting is complete. The casting is then sent to be annealed or quenched in order to further strengthen the steel and ensure its durability. Finally, the casting is machined and inspected to ensure that it meets the standards and specifications required by the customer.
Steel casting is a complicated and delicate process and one that requires the utmost skill and knowledge of the technician. To ensure the successful outcome of any project, the technician must be able to carefully monitor the temperature of the molten steel and be able to judge the right moment to introduce it into the mold or die. Furthermore, the technician must also be aware of any changes in the material condition in order to detect any imperfections that could otherwise lead to the failure of the final product.
