A material exhibiting metallic properties and composed of two or more chemical elements. Out of these at least one should be metal. Generally it possesses properties unique from those of the components. For examples, Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.

This process is used for joining metals and alloys by fusion of nonferrous alloys that have melting points above 800 degree F, but lower than those of the metals being joined.

Metal poured into a mold to form an object.

A chemical reaction taking place because of a compound added to molten metal for removing gases from the metal. Inert gases are preferred in this operation.

A rigid, metal sheet or plate made of carbon or stainless steel, aluminum, and a variety of alloys. It is slit and expanded (drawn) into an open mesh pattern . That makes it stronger, lighter and more rigid than the original material.

Transformation from a solid to a fluid state caused by heat.

Gate is the point where molten metal enters the casting cavity. In general Gate is referred to as a term to indicate the entire assembly of connected columns and channels carrying the metal from the top of the mold to the part forming the casting cavity. Also applied to indicate the pattern parts that form the passages, or to the metal that fills them.

A small furnace for maintaining molten metal at the proper pouring temperature and which is usually supplied from a large melting unit.

Cavity in a die-casting die or in a mold.

A wood or metal form that is slipped over a mold made up in a snap or slip flask. It supports the four sides of the mold during pouring. During the pouring period Jackets and mold weights gets shifted from one row of molds to another.

The unit of measurement here equals that of the centigrade degree and according to which absolute zero is 0 degrees, equivalent to -273.16°Centigrade.

Shrinkage or contraction of the molten metal as it cools from higher temperature to lower in the liquid state.

The capability to be permanently deformed without getting ruptured in the process.

The process of heating a ferrous alloy to a desired temperature above the transformation temperature Ac3. Followed by cooling usually in still air to a temperature substantially below the transformation range.

Refers to a furnace for melting metal. The bath is heated by the combustion of hot gases over the surface of the metal and the radiation from the roof. Furnace fuel may be powdered coal , producer gas, coke-oven gas or oil.

Holes produced in the castings due to gases trapped in the mold, appearing as shrinkage cavities.

Fast cooling of the hardening material. This is done by immersion of the object to be hardened in water, oil. additionally solutions of salt or organic compounds in water can also be used.

-R-

Recrystallization

 

A process whereby a new, strain-free grain structure replaces the distorted grain structure of cold-worked metals during annealing above a specific minimum

temperature.

 

-S-

Slag

 

A fused nonmetallic material used to protect molten metal from the air and to extract certain impurities.

 

-T-

Tumbling barrel

 

A revolving metal, wood box, or barrel in which castings are cleaned.

 

-U-

Upgrading

 

The removal and repair of discontinuities for raising the quality level of the casting.

 

-V-

Vertical Axis Casting Machine

 

A centrifugal casting machine in which the axis of rotation of the mold is vertical.

 

-W-

Wax Pattern

 

A precise duplicate, allowing for shrinkage, of the casting and required gates, usually formed by pouring or injecting molten wax into a die or mold.

 

-Y-

Yield

 

Comparison of the finished casting weight visa -vis the total weight of metal poured in a mold. Denoted as a percentage , indicating the relationship of the weight of casting to the total composite weight of the casting and its gating system.

 

-Z-

Zircon

 

Naturally occurring zirconium silicate, chemically called ZrSiO4 containing 67.23% zirconium oxide, ZrO4, and 32.77% silica, SiO2, It is used as a molding medium in steel foundries.