Casting is a manufacturing process in which a liquid material is usually poured into a mold, which contains a hollow cavity of the desired shape, and then allowed to solidify. The solidified part is also known as a casting, which is ejected or broken out of the mold to complete the process.
In the aerospace context, casting refers to the process of producing a solid object by pouring a liquid material, such as metal, into a mold and allowing it to cool and solidify. This process is commonly used to manufacture parts for aircraft and spacecraft. Here are some examples of casting in the aerospace context:
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Investment casting: This is a process in which a wax or plastic pattern of the desired part is created, and then a mold is made around it using a ceramic material. The mold is then heated to melt the pattern, leaving a hollow space in the mold in the shape of the part. Molten metal is then poured into the mold and allowed to cool and solidify, producing the finished part.
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Sand casting: This is a process in which a mold is made out of sand and a liquid material, such as metal, is poured into the mold and allowed to cool and solidify. The sand mold is then broken to reveal the finished part.
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Die casting: This is a process in which molten metal is injected under high pressure into a die (a specialized mold) to produce the desired part.
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Lost wax casting: This is a process in which a wax pattern of the desired part is created and then coated in a ceramic material. The ceramic mold is then heated to melt the wax, leaving a hollow space in the mold in the shape of the part. Molten metal is then poured into the mold and allowed to cool and solidify, producing the finished part.
Casting is often used in the aerospace industry because it allows for the production of complex shapes and intricate details that would be difficult or impossible to achieve using other manufacturing processes.