Forgings vs. Castings | Which is Better?

When it comes to product manufacturing, you can always optimize it by using the right method. You probably know that both forgings and castings are popular processes, but is one better than the other? To find out, let’s examine the advantages of both.

Forgings

Forging is a manufacturing process that uses the application of dies, compressive forces and temperature to change the shape of a solid piece of material. You can classify forging by the temperature used (cold forging, warm forging or hot forging), the type of process used, or the type of material used.Advantages of Forging:

• Is extremely strong
• Can handle significant impacts
• No occurrence of porosity, shrinkage, cavities and cold pour issues
• Is reliable; has a high level of predictability
• Is less costly than other alternatives
• Production adapts to demand

Castings

Casting is a manufacturing process that uses liquid material that is poured into a mold where it can solidify. Once the solidified part is broken out of the mold, the casting process is complete. You can identify the type of casting based on the molding materials and process as well as the filling pressures.Advantages of Casting:

• Has a high tolerance
• Does not have a weight limit
• Requires few secondary machining operations
• Is highly adaptable to the requirements of mass production
• Has design flexibility
• Can exhibit large and complex parts

Which is Better?

When it comes to the question of whether forgings or castings are better, the answer is that it really depends. As you can see, both have their own advantages, so choosing which to use depends on the product. If you’re unsure which to use and want a professional opinion, Ferralloy, Inc. can help! We are a leading supplier of forgings and castings to major companies throughout the world. We specialize in these methods and have all of the resources to meet your every need. Give us a call today!