How do I choose between Casting and Forging?Which is better?

This question, “Forging vs. Casting: Which is better?” is one that we often ask.So first, we need to know what they are.

What is casting?

Casting is a process in which metal is heated until molten stage and pour this liquid metal into a mold or cavity where it is allow solidifying. This process converts the metal into desire shape. It is useful to make complex structure. Most of the industrial structures parts are like lathe machine bed, milling machine bed make big base of other machinery part, engine components etc. are made by this process.

Advantages of Casting:

1. This process can form very large structure which is impossible to form by other process.

2. It can make any complex and unsymmetrical structure.

3. The structure formed by this process has high compressive strength.

4. It can attain wide range of properties.

5. This process can attain high accuracy.

What is Forging?

On the other hand forging is the process of converting metal into desire shape by applying pressure and with or without heat. When the metal is heated before applying pressure the process is called hot forging. In forging metal is heated before below critical temperature or below molten stage. Rolling, pressing, Wire drawing etc. is various types of forging. All sheets, small component, wire etc are formed by this process.

Advantages of Forging:

1. It produces tougher product compare to other.

2. The product made by forging has high impact or tensile strength.

Why use Castings?

We use castings for a wide range of wearparts and components that are too large, complicated, intricate or otherwise unsuitable for the forging process.We have found that by carefully choosing alloys and applying proven methods of heat treatment, we can produce castings of high quality, strength and wearability. The casting process better lends itself to making parts where internal cavities are required.

Why use Forgings?

Forging offers uniformity of composition and structure. Forging results in metallurgical recrystalisation and grain refinement as a result of the thermal cycle and deformation process. This strengthens the resulting steel product particularly in terms of impact and shear strength.

Forged steel is generally stronger and more reliable than castings and plate steel due to the fact that the grain flows of the steel are altered, conforming to the shape of the part.