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Casting

Metal, Processes

Casting

1) The operation of pouring metal into a mould and allowing it to solidify.
2) A metallic object that has been made by casting the metal into a shape.
The simplest forms could be produced in an open moulds that are were either uncovered at the time of casting, or had a simple flat plate lid. This form was often used for simple early Bronze Age axes. Piece moulds are made of two or more fitting pieces in stone, bronze, or sand-clay mixture. Hollow-cast objects are usually piece moulds with false cores. A figure was modelled in clay and a piece mould was built up around the model. The model was removed and could be shaved down in size to provide the core around which the mould pieces and mother moulds would be assembled. Mould design is important for successful casting to prevent various types of casting defects.
Related terms: Lost wax casting, Sand casting, Pattern, Feeder, Header, In-gate, Vent