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From the desk of Your Metal Experts...

Welcome to the MetalTek blog.

MetalTek uses our integrated alloy and process expertise to help customers make their products perform better in the world's most demanding applications. Please browse the blog topics displayed below to find a topic of interest to you.

For more information about a specific alloy or manufacturing process, contact us or consider a TekSession. You can also browse our hundreds of available alloys for the material properties that best fit your application.

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Topics

What is Vacuum Investment Casting?

Manufacturers in high-compliance industries such as aerospace, defense, and energy continually identify ways to improve the quality and...
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Why Aluminum Bronze Is A Good Choice For High-Specification Components

Selecting the right metal alloy for high-performance applications is critical. Aluminum bronze alloys have proven themselves as a...
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Copper’s Antimicrobial Properties

Copper has been a cornerstone of human construction and design for thousands of years. One of the signature...
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Rest in Peace, Bob Smickley

I am deeply saddened to inform you of former MetalTek CEO Bob Smickley’s passing. Bob passed peacefully this...
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8 Metals Commonly Used For Casting

Metal casting involves pouring molten metal into a die or mold to form a desired shape. Numerous types...
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MetalTek’s Carondelet Division Certified to Produce HY-80 Steel

MetalTek's Carondelet Division is excited to announce that we achieved certification to produce HY-80 steel. HY-80 is a...
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Investment Casting Misconceptions

Investment casting has many benefits over other casting processes. Ranging from cost savings (reduced machining costs and material...
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Weld Repair / Weld Upgrade In Steel Castings – When To Use

Like many metal components, steel castings may require repair or modification during their initial casting or overall lifecycle....
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Bearium Metal Alloys: An in-depth guide of proprietary leaded bronzes

What Is Bearium Metal? Bearium Metal is a group of high lead tin bronze alloys containing virgin copper,...
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Sandusky International: Largest Centrifugal Castings for Demanding Industries Worldwide

MetalTek’s Sandusky International Division is a leading supplier of large metal components for high-heat, high-wear, and high-corrosion applications...
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Types Of Wax Used In The Investment Casting Process

Investment casting, also known as lost wax casting, is a metal casting method for shaping metal parts that...
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3 Common Types of Sand Used in Sand Casting

Sand casting is a versatile and cost-effective solution for the creation of metal parts. In fact, most metal...
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What Is Rust And How To Prevent It

Rust, the reddish-brown culprit that silently creeps onto many metal surfaces, is a phenomenon that has plagued ferrous...
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The Beginners Guide to Metal Casting Defects

Metal casting is one of the most widely utilized methods of producing metal parts. Like any process, if...
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How To Choose a Metal Casting Supplier for the Petrochemical Industry

Planned turnarounds are regular occurrences in the life cycle of a petrochemical plant. Every few years, a plant...
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304 vs. 316 Stainless Steel: Which One Is Better?

Stainless steel is one of the world's leading metals in various applications. It provides exceptional corrosion resistance, durability,...
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Will Aluminum Rust or Corrode?

Aluminum does not rust but it can corrode. What is the difference between rust and corrosion? Rust and...
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The 101 On Thermal Conductivity In Metal Alloys

One crucial property to understand in metalworking is thermal conductivity. The simplest definition of thermal conductivity is a...
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A Guide to Different Types of Bronze Alloys

Introduction Bronze is a copper-based alloy that has been valued throughout history for its versatility, durability, and attractive...
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Comparing Costs for Investment Casting, Sand Casting, and Centrifugal Casting

When considering the production of complex metal components, it is important to evaluate the costs associated with different...
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