If you want to use casting to fabricate steel products, then you have various methods available to you. While regular die-casts and moulds are a common option, you can also use sand casting. This technique uses treated sand to create moulds that you pour molten steel into. The steel then hardens in the mould to create your products.

What are the benefits of sand casting?

1. Quicker Production Times

Some steel casts take time to manufacture. You have to wait for moulds to be ready before you can start work on your order.

Sand moulds are typically easier and faster to make. Your fabrication company simply has to mould sand to your design and you're good to go.

2. Small Order Versatility

Traditional casting techniques are relatively expensive for smaller order runs. If you're only going to use a mould a few times, then this might not be a cost-effective route. You get economies of scale on larger orders but an exponential increase on smaller runs.

Sand casting moulds are less expensive to make. Sand is a cheap medium, even when it is treated. Plus, treated sand can be cleaned up and used again. This recyclability makes it even more cost-effective. The moulding process itself is not too labour intensive.

Sand casting could be an ideal solution if you want to cast a prototype or a small order run on a budget. You won't have to factor in more expensive moulding costs. You get a casting solution that you can afford.

3. Better Heat Tolerance

One of the problems you'll have when you need to cast steel is heat tolerance. Molten steel has a high temperature compared to some other metals. This is why you need to use a mould material with the right temperature resistance.

Some materials, like silicon, can't necessarily cope with these heat demands. They might not be able to hold the steel when it is poured into the mould. You'll potentially lose the mould and waste the steel if you use the wrong material.

Sand can tolerate higher heats. It won't be affected by the temperature of the molten steel when it is poured into the mould. It can absorb the heat as the steel cools down without losing its shape, design or integrity. You don't have to worry about the mould doing an effective job.

To learn more about sand casting and its benefits, contact a steel fabrication company.

Share