Forging parts and casting are all processes whereby metal materials are transformed into parts or components of expected size or shape. However, they are different techniques. Then what's the difference among the two techniques in dealing with metal formation? Now let's have a look at the difference.
From their definition, we know that forging is a process to clamp down the metal ingot via forging machine till the plastic deformation of the metal ingot occurs. After the metal forging, the metal ingot can have expected mechanical property and can be forged into forgings with certain size or shape. However, casting is a process whereby metal ingot is first melted into molten metal and then the molten metal is cooled down, solidified and molded into castings of predetermined shape, size and performance. Forging technology and casting technology are all basic techniques for the modern mechanical production.
Forging and casting process also differs in terms of the material being used. The main materials used for forging process include carbon steel, alloy steel, steel, bronze, magnesium and other types of alloy. The original materials are in the state of ingot, metal powder or molten metal. However, the casting process involves materials of metal, wood, fuel and mold. Also, the casting technique needs equipment such as furnace, casting mold machine and shot blasting machine. Besides, during the casting process, some powder, harmful gas or noise may occur.
Besides, casting technology is one of the oldest techniques that human beings adopted in processing metals under hot temperature. Casting technology has been existed for nearly six thousand years. But the history of forging technology is comparatively shorter. The earlier casting technology has much to do with the making technique of ceramics. Casting was used to make tools in the field of agriculture, religion and life. Casting technique even has something to do with artistic production. Though the two techniques develop very fast, casting technology seems to be able to process more materials.
As for the application of the two techniques, they also differ. Usually, forging technology can help eliminate the looseness of the metal ingot after being cast. The forgings can have better mechanical property than castings made of the same material. For the parts with higher requirement on the mechanical load or stern working condition, forging technology is preferred. Casting technique is preferred when the part does not have very high requirement on mechanical performance.
For the two techniques, they can be divided into more types. For casting technique, it involves Investment Casting, metal mold casting, aluminum sand casting, continuous casting, centrifugal casting, etc. Forging technique include free die forging, model forging, etc. The sand casting parts or forging parts are supposed to be further dealt before being used finally.
