Blog Archives

MetalTek Alloys

Nickel-Based Alloys

November 23, 2020

About 60% of the nickel in the world ends up as a component of stainless steel. It is selected because of its strength, toughness, and resistance to corrosion.  Duplex stainless steels typically contain about 5% nickel, austenitics around 10% nickel, and the super austenitics over 20%. Heat resistant grades often contain over 35% nickel.  Nickel-based…

Read More
Non Ferrous Metal Casting

Copper Based Alloys – An Overview

November 23, 2020

How strong is copper? The answer is it depends on which copper-based alloy you choose. You can achieve superior corrosion resistance and/or durability in applications that require wear and galling resistance. Copper is a heavy metal that can provide the strength equivalent of steel. But first, let’s differentiate between two copper alloys – brass and…

Read More
Investment Casting Process

Basics of Casting 101

November 23, 2020

MetalTek offers more metal casting process diversity. Your ability to source centrifugal, sand, investment, HPLT, or continuous cast products from a single company is not available anywhere else in the world. Not sure which precision casting process is right for your components or application? Read the below article on what is casting and its types.…

Read More
Sand Casting Process Graphic

What is Sand Casting and How Does It Work?

November 23, 2020

Sand Casting   Sand casting can be traced back to earlier than 1000 B.C. It is widely accepted as the oldest known casting process. The sand-casting process has evolved significantly since the beginning. But the process of how to sand cast has not strayed. The cast molding process is basic, create a cavity in the shape…

Read More
Sand Casting Mold

Sand Casting Process: Advantages and Limitations

November 23, 2020

Benefits of Using Sand Casting 1. Nearly any alloy: Sand castings can be readily produced in nearly any ferrous or non-ferrous alloy.  Some other casting processes will melt and pour super-alloys in a vacuum, but that is not typically done as a sand casting. Some materials cannot be “worked”, and must be produced as a…

Read More
Centrifugal Casting Pour

Metal Casting vs. Metal Forging: 5 Things to Consider

November 23, 2020

While metal casting might be the best process to manufacture a wide range of components, depending on your needs, the forging process could be the best option. Or vice-versa. This is why it helps to know the key differences between forging and casting. So here are 5 things to consider when deciding if a casting…

Read More
Ferrous Metal Casting

What Are Ferrous Alloys?

November 23, 2020

Ferrous alloys (ferro alloys) or metals are metals that consist mostly of iron (Fe). Steel is an iron-based alloy containing typically less than 1% carbon, where iron frequently contains 2% or more carbon. Iron and steel are widely available, strong, cheap, and can be shaped by casting.  Ferrous alloy properties can be improved by heat…

Read More
MetalTek Alloys

Material Applications: Heat Resistance

November 23, 2020

By way of definition, heat-resistant applications typically occur above 1200°F/670°C and require the use of materials that have enhanced resistance to oxidation and other environment-specific gases and mechanical property degradation. Performance in these high-temperature environments is indicated by acceptable levels of tensile strength, stress rupture life, and creep strengths that correspond to the required time…

Read More
MetalTek Alloys

What Is Tin Bronze?

November 23, 2020

Tin Bronze alloys consist of copper-based materials with the major alloying element being tin. The presence of tin provides high mechanical properties, the offset being that the addition of tin adds to the metal cost. The high tin bronzes, however, are particularly suited for certain applications for which the less expensive bronzes are not suitable.…

Read More
MetalTek Alloys

Material Applications: Corrosion Resistant Alloys

November 23, 2020

Corrosion is the loss of metal due to a reaction with the environment, and is measured as the percentage of weight loss or as the penetration rate of the corrosion, perhaps measured in inches per year. Corrosion can develop in the presence of liquids or gases. It may occur at any temperature, although generally the…

Read More