Castings: Metal parts are obtained by pouring liquid metal or molten metal alloy into a mold and demolding it after cooling and solidification. This process is similar to pouring molten wax into a mold to make a wax figure, but the material is replaced by metal.

Forgings: Metal blanks are forged or extruded using equipment such as forging hammers and presses to cause plastic deformation, thereby obtaining metal products of the desired shape and size. The forging process is similar to dough being molded into various shapes in the hands of a chef

 

 

Castings: Various parts with complex shapes can be manufactured, including curves, thin walls, and uneven structures, and their shapes and sizes are mainly determined by the mold.

Forgings: Although complex shapes can also be manufactured, their shape and size flexibility is slightly inferior to castings. Forgings focus more on improving the internal organization and properties of metals through the forging process.

 

 

Castings: Defects such as pores and inclusions are prone to occur during the manufacturing process, which may affect the mechanical properties and durability of castings. In addition, the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of castings may also be relatively low.

Forgings: During the forging process, the metal billet is subjected to pressure, its internal structure is densified, and the mechanical properties are significantly improved. The performance indicators of forgings such as strength, hardness, wear resistance and tensile strength are generally better than those of castings. At the same time, the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of forgings are also relatively high.

 

 

Castings: Because they can be produced in large quantities and the manufacturing process is relatively simple, the production cost is low and the production efficiency is high.

Forgings: The production cost is relatively high because the forging equipment is expensive and the forging process consumes a lot of energy and manpower. However, the high performance and high quality of forgings can often make up for this cost disadvantage.

Castings: Because they can be produced in large quantities and the manufacturing process is relatively simple, the production cost is low and the production efficiency is high.

Forgings: The production cost is relatively high because the forging equipment is expensive and the forging process consumes a lot of energy and manpower. However, the high performance and high quality of forgings can often make up for this cost disadvantage.

5. Which is more commonly used

 

Castings and forgings each have their own application areas and advantages. Which is more commonly used depends on the specific application scenarios and needs.

Castings may be more commonly used in situations where large-scale production, complex shapes, and low mechanical performance requirements are required. For example, automobile engine cylinder blocks, crankshafts and other parts are often manufactured using casting processes.

Forgings are more suitable in situations where mechanical properties, dimensional accuracy and surface quality are required to be high. For example, high-tech products such as aircraft engine housings and spacecraft parts are often manufactured using forging processes.