Stainless steel is said to be one of the best materials if you are interested in producing something that will not corrode with use, and that will be heat resistant. This metal can be transformed and molded in different ways, and here we are going to talk about casting.
Casting, by itself, is the process in which a material is heated until it turns liquid, and then it is poured into the mold and left to harden. If you are interested in how you can benefit from stainless steel cast and how you can make your life easier with these products, continue reading.
Production process
Depending on the production process and the finish, stainless steel can be made into wrought or cast. You should know that the former is more commonly used in everyday products and these products are probably more popular than the casting ones.
When it comes to wrought, the products are made by firstly creating blooms, slabs, and ingots. Later on, they are shaped by using the method of heating and hammering. As you can see, it takes a lot of time, patience, and skills to create these products.
Casting, on the other hand, is a simpler process, where the metal is heated until it becomes liquid, and then it is poured into the molding containers. This process is faster and easier to create, however, it still requires skills and knowledge.
The latter products are usually made in a foundry and when it comes to machines or other products that contain a lot of small components, they are usually made in one factory, and later on, assembled in another.
Properties
There are a lot of different types of metal that can be turned into a cast, and the difference between them and stainless steel is that the latter usually contains less carbon. The researches have shown that this type of metal contains no more than 0.5 percent of carbon.
You might ask how does this changes the properties of the products and is that an advantage or a disadvantage.
Well, to answer this question, you should know that the higher the carbon percentage in a metal, the easier it is to create a product that will not break or crack during the production process. These materials, such as iron, can be wrought with ease, and they can be heated over and over again without cracking or damaging the product. Another thing is that when there is a higher carbon concentration, the metal will not shrink when heated, which means, there is no big loss when it comes to producing iron cast. Because of all of these things, when it comes to producing big things, like furniture or fences, iron is used instead of stainless steel.
On the other hand, one of the main properties of steel is that it is extremely durable. Unlikely other metals, the smaller carbon percentage makes it less likely to get damaged after the production, and it will stand the test of time. Because of this, stainless steel is mainly used to create kitchenware and to produce delicate pieces that will last for years to come.
This material can withstand serious force and it will not break or bend, which is extremely important, especially when it is used as a building structure. It is also used in the mechanical field, and with it, a lot of different parts are created. According to dawangcasting.com, in the steel investment casting industry, this metal is used to create products that can be later on used in the automotive companies, railroad, petrochemical, and even the agriculture and the construction industry. So, as you can see, the properties stainless steel has, are needed in almost every part of our lives where we need something that can withstand forces and something that will be durable for decades to come.
Advantages
Now let’s see the advantages of using this type of metal casting in your production process. Remember that these things depend on how the metal is created and if it is used stainless steel only, or if it is a blend between different materials and metals.
As we previously mentioned, the biggest advantage of using this type of metal is the durability. No matter where you use it, or how much force or heat you put it under, it will not get damaged. Because of that, stainless-steel cookware can be used for decades without cracking even when it is put on direct fire. It is said that when you use kitchen appliances made of this material, you may never need to replace them in your life.
The next thing is that the products have a really smooth surface, which is a bump or scratch-free. This allows the products to look sleeker and overall better. That surface will stay with the product forever, and you won’t notice any dents or scratches even after years of using it. This is extremely important, especially when it comes to the automotive industry.
The products made of this material are really easy to clean and maintain. People who use this metal in their home, state that cleaning the cookware takes no more than a minute, even if you forgot the meal on the stove and if it burned. Another interesting fact about stainless steel is the maintenance process is also important in industries including agriculture because the machines have to stay clean in order for the production process to be up to the highest standards.
Disadvantages
There are not many disadvantages to this material, but the biggest one is the cost. Since it cannot be molded over and over again, and it shrinks during the production process, a big amount of the metal has to be used. This makes it one of the most expensive materials you can invest in.
It is not a good heat conductor, and this can be seen as both an advantage and a disadvantage. When it comes to cooking, where heat conduction is needed, the cookware is usually coated with aluminum or copper, so that the whole product can be heated really fast.
This material is not recommended when you have to place something in salty water, or when you will expose it to salt all the time. When that happens, it can cause pitting corrosion and even though it won’t break the product, it will still damage it, and take away its beauty.
These are the most important things you need to know about stainless steel cast, how it is used, and why you can benefit from it. If you are interested in producing your own things, and if you are looking for the best material, this metal can help you out a lot. To make the best judgment, you should always consult with the professionals and weight the positives and the negative sides.
