Common Pump Body (Volute) Casting Materials

A pump is a pumping machine that uses the centrifugal motion of water. It is composed of pump casing, impeller, pump shaft, motor and so on. The purpose of the pump casing vent is to expel air so that the pump can be filled with water before it is first started. As a pump parts casting manufacturer, we have rich experience in pump casing casting. The following is a detailed introduction to the common pump casing materials

youzhen Product Page

There are several factors to consider when selecting a pump casing material. Including: material strength, corrosion resistance, abrasive wear resistance, casting and machining performance, welding repair performance, cost. The following are common materials in casting

1. Bronze

Lead bronze is often used in small low-pressure pumps, and the lead helps to seal the pump body. Bronze material is also used for the pump body in many water pump applications. Tin bronze is used as the body material for larger centrifugal pumps. The mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Nickel Aluminum Bronze are very good. But it's expensive and not competitive.

2. Cast steel

Common cast steels include martensitic stainless steel, austenitic stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, etc. For corrosive and harmful petroleum products, or when the outlet pressure of the multi-stage pump reaches 138Mpa, the specified cast steel or cast stainless steel must be used.

Martensitic stainless steel has good mechanical properties and is suitable for high-pressure working conditions. It is commonly used in boiler feed pumps and many hydrocarbon applications. But its corrosion resistance is not as good as other types of stainless steel.

Austenitic stainless steels are corrosion resistant and have relatively easy field weld repairs. Therefore, in chemical applications and other corrosive environments, austenitic stainless steel (CF-8M, CF-3M, etc.) is often used as the pump casing material.

High-pressure shallow sea water injection pumps have higher requirements on corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. The pump casing used in this environment is made of duplex stainless steel (50% ferrite + 50% austenite).

As the strength of cast steel becomes higher, usually when the pressure is greater than 16Mpa, the pressure-bearing parts are mostly cast steel. The national standard code is ZG, and the most commonly used grade is ZG230-450. Japan and the United States usually use CS to indicate cast steel.

3. Cast iron

Gray cast iron is the most commonly used cast iron, and the national standard code is HT. Generally, the pump body, impeller, pump cover, suspension, etc. of the clean water pump are made of this material, and usually use three grades: HT150, HT200, HT250. HT150 is mostly used for non-main parts such as base and back plate, HT200 is mostly used for pump body, pump cover, suspension, etc., and HT250 is mostly used for impeller, mouth ring and shaft sleeve.

Gray cast iron is the better material for pump casings for most liquid transfer applications. For single stage pumps, gray cast iron is usually strong enough to withstand the pressures generated. In the range of medium pressure and temperature, nodular cast iron is widely used. In applications where gray and nodular cast iron cannot achieve sufficient corrosion resistance, corrosion resistant high nickel cast iron is often used as the pump body material. In recent years, a new corrosion-resistant high-nickel cast iron material (named D2W) with good welding performance has been developed, which contains a small amount of niobium to improve its welding performance. Typical austenitic cast irons contain 15% to 20% nickel and are widely used in salt water.

Ductile iron is a kind of cast iron with better comprehensive performance, and the national standard code is QT. Because its mechanical properties are close to steel, and its casting performance and processing performance are better than steel, it is usually used as a substitute for cast steel.

4. Stainless steel

The most widely used stainless steel is austenitic stainless steel, such as 0Crl8Ni9, 1Crl8Nij9Ti, 0Crl8Ni2Mo2IIIi, etc. Except for a few media such as hydrochloric acid and dilute sulfuric acid, austenitic stainless steel is an excellent corrosion-resistant material and is the most commonly used corrosion-resistant material for chemical pumps. Japan and the United States usually use SS304, SS316, SS316L to represent austenitic stainless steel. 2Cr3, 3Cr13 and other martensitic stainless steels have better mechanical properties than austenitic stainless steels. They are commonly used as materials for pump shafts and bushings. The code corresponding to Japan and the United States is SS420. In addition, high-alloy stainless steel (alloy 20) and duplex stainless steel are ideal corrosion-resistant materials.

5. Carbon structural steel

It is usually divided into ordinary carbon structural steel and high-quality carbon structural steel. The most representative ordinary carbon steel is Q235, which is mostly used in various steel plates and section steels; the most representative high-quality carbon steel is No. 45 steel, which is widely used as pump shaft material without corrosion.

6. Alloy steel

The most representative alloy steel is 40Cr, which is usually used as a material for high-strength pump shafts.

With an increase in industrial demands and applications, there has been a parallel increase in the demand for complex and high-quality products. Fortunately, there are different types of casting processes that can manufacture complex and precise products for various applications and user needs.

In order to select the right method of casting for your manufacturing requirements, it is beneficial to realize the advantages and disadvantages of these methods. This article provides a brief overview of various types of casting processes and their pros and cons.

Overview of Casting Process

The casting process is a manufacturing method that produces desired-shape metal parts by pouring molten metal into a mold and solidifying and cooling it to the room temperature. It&#;s capable of producing complex and intricate parts, irrespective of their sizes.

Casting can produce isotropic metal parts in bulk quantities, as a result, making it suitable for mass production. Furthermore, to meet specific user requirements, there are different types of casting that differ by the material and mold used.

Different Types of Casting Process

There are different types of casting processes, and each process has its own advantages and disadvantages as per the user requirement.

1. Sand Casting Process

Sand casting is a versatile casting process that can be used to cast any metal alloy, ferrous or non-ferrous. It is widely used for mass production in industrial units, such as automotive metal casting parts, like engine blocks, cylinder heads, crankshafts, etc.

The process uses a mold that&#;s made of silica-based materials, such as naturally-bonded or synthetic sand form the smooth mold surface. The mold surface has 2 parts, cope (the upper half) and drag (the lower half). Molten metal is poured into the pattern using a pouring cup and left to solidify to take the final shape. Finally, trimming off extra metal is done for the finishing of the final metal casting product.   

Sand casting has its advantages and disadvantages.

AdvantagesDisadvantagesRelatively inexpensive in terms of production costs, especially in low-volume productionLower degree of accuracy as compared to alternate methodsFabrication of large componentsDifficult to use this method for products with pre-determined size and weight specificationsCasting both ferrous and non ferrous alloysThe process yields products with a rough surface finishRecycling ability Processing of metals with high melting temperatures, such as, steel and titanium 

2. Gravity Die Casting

Gravity die casting, also typically known as permanent mold casting, uses reusable molds made of metal, like steel, graphite etc. to fabricate metal and metal alloys. This type of metal casting can manufacture various parts like gears, gear housing, pipe fittings, wheels, engine pistons, etc.

In this process, the direct pouring of molten metal into the mold cavity takes place under the effect of gravity. For better coverage, the die can be tilted to control the filling. The molten metal is then allowed to cool and solidifies within the mold to form products. As a result, this process makes casting of materials like lead, zinc, aluminum, and magnesium alloys, certain bronzes, and cast iron more common.

Additional reading:
4 Tips to Select the Perfect Stainless Steel Y-Strainer for Your Needs
How to Select the Right Stainless Steel Y-Strainer for Your Needs?

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit stainless steel valve pump body casting supplier.

This casting process works on the bottom-up approach to fill the mold, in contrast, to other pressure casting processes. Although, the process has a higher casting rate than sand casting. But, it is relatively higher in cost due to expensive metal molds. Check its advantages and disadvantages below.

AdvantagesDisadvantagesProvides better surface quality of products due to rapid solidificationCasting complex objects is difficultCasting products have high precision and tight toleranceManufacturing costs of molds are higherReusable molds save time and increase productivity which reduces production costsAt times, the ejection mechanism to remove the casting from the mold forms a dent in the productThe products possess better mechanical properties Production f thin walled products 

3. Pressure Die Casting

There are two types of pressure die casting depending on the pressure. Namely, the low-pressure die casting and the high-pressure die casting. High pressure die casting is more popular for mass production of complex geometries that require high precision. Whereas, for large and simple parts production, low-pressure die casting is a preferable casting process.

In this type of metal casting, non-ferrous metals and alloys such as zinc, tin, copper and aluminum are injected into a reusable mold coated with a lubricant at high pressure. Thus, high pressure is maintained throughout the rapid injection process to avoid metal hardening. Finally, after completion of the process, extraction of casting and finishing takes place to remove any excess material.

Pressure die casting differs from gravity die casting in the process of filling up the mold. Where pressure die casting uses high-pressure injection of molten metal into the metal mold. The molten metal is then solidified rapidly to produce the required product.

Its advantages and disadvantages are summarized below.

AdvantagesDisadvantagesHigh precision and dimensional toleranceRelatively high tool costsHigh efficiency and good product qualityLimited to non-ferrous materialsReduced need for post-casting machiningDifficult to ensure the mechanical properties of products, therefore, it is not used for structural partsRapid cooling of molten metal pertaining to faster production ratesComplete setup requires a large capital investmentThe process can run for longer hours without the need to replace the die 

More: Choose A Righ Process Between Die Casting vs Sand Casting for Your Applications.

4. Investment Casting

Investment casting, also known as lost-wax casting, is a process that invests wax pattern with refractory material and a binding agent to shape a disposable ceramic mold, and then molten metal is poured into the mold to make metal castings. Investment casting is an expensive and labor-intensive process and can be used for mass production or in complex castings to produce metal casting products ranging from gears, bicycle trunks, moto discs, and spare parts in blasting machines.

Below summarizes its advantages and disadvantages.

AdvantagesDisadvantagesIt can produce parts with thin walls, more complexity and high surface qualityRequires labor for useReduces the need for post-casting machiningProduction cycle is longerCan cast hard-to-melt alloys such as stainless steel, thin steel, etc.Higher manufacturing costs of moldsDue to breaking away of the shell mold, it allows for castings with 90-degree anglesNew die requirement for the creation of wax patterns for each casting cycleHigh dimensional accuracy in products Shrinkage allowance in the mold   

5. Plaster Casting

The plaster casting process is similar to sand casting, except that the mold is made of a mixture called &#;Plaster of Paris&#;.  Due to the low thermal conductivity and heat capacity of plaster, it cools the metal more slowly as compared to sand, which helps in attaining high accuracy, especially for thin cross-section parts. However, it is not suitable for high-temperature ferrous materials.

Particularly, small castings of 30 grams, as well as large castings of 45 kilograms, can be manufactured through the plaster mold casting process. For example, the image below shows a cast component of a section thickness of 1 mm made by this process.

Learn more about its advantages and disadvantages.

AdvantagesDisadvantagesSmooth surface finishThe process tends to be more expensive than most casting operationsGreater dimensional accuracy than sand castingLimited applications to aluminum and copper-based alloysThe ability to cast complex shapes with thin wallsMay require frequent replacements of the plaster molding material Not suitable for high melting materials Longer cooling times, effecting production rates Unstable material as compared to sand, which can affect the complete process

6. Centrifugal Casting

Centrifugal casting, also known as roto casting, is a process for industrially manufacturing cylindrical parts with centrifugal forces. This type of metal casting uses a preheated spinning die in which the molten metal is poured. The centrifugal forces help to distribute the molten metal within the die at high pressure.

Three variations of centrifugal casting exist; true centrifugal casting process, semi centrifugal casting process, and vertical centrifugal casting process. Semi centrifugal casting, unlike true centrifugal casting, has the mold completely filled using a sprue. However, in true centrifugal casting, molten metal sticks to the sides due to continuous rotation. On the contrary, vertical centrifugal casting, as the name suggests, uses directional molding following the same process as true centrifugal casting.

Typically, centrifugal casting produces rotational shapes like cylinders. In particular, parts like bush bearings, clutch plates, piston rings, and cylinder liners, etc. Also, the pouring of metal in the center of the mold helps in reducing defects such as blow holes, shrinkage, and gas pockets. However, it is not suitable for all kinds of metal alloys.

AdvantagesDisadvantagesImproved process yields and reduced wastageCentrifugal casting requires high investmentsCasting has high density and almost no defectsRequirement of skilled laborThe process is convenient to manufacture barrel and sleeve composite metal castingsSpecific shapes productionNo requirement of gates and risers 

7. Lost-Foam Casting

Lost-foam casting method is similar to investment casting with the difference that it uses foam for the pattern instead of wax. Once the pattern is formed, coating with a refractory ceramic takes place by dipping, coating, spraying, or brushing. Then, the molten metal is poured into the mold to form the desired product.

This technique can be used for various materials like alloy steel, carbon steel, alloy cast iron, ferrous alloy, etc. In particular, products like pump housing, fire hydrants, valves, and fittings are made through the lost-foam casting process.

Lost foam casting possesses numerous advantages which include high precision and high accuracy production. However, there are a few limitations of this process that makes it unsuitable for low-volume applications.

AdvantagesDisadvantagesHigh precision castingHigh pattern costs for low volume productionAllows flexible designLow strength causes distortion or damage of the patternClean productionMany production processes and longer delivery timeEconomic for high volume production 

8. Vacuum Casting

Vacuum casting, as the name suggests, is the type of casting where production occurs under vacuum pressure of 100 bar or less to exhaust gas from the mold cavity. In this process, molten metal is poured into the mold cavity inside a vacuum chamber in order to eliminate bubbles and air pockets. The vacuum evacuation of the die cavity reduces the entrapment of gases within the cavity during the metal injection process. Finally, the metal is cured in a heating chamber and removed from the mold.

The vacuum die casting process is popular in various industries including automobiles, aerospace, electronics, marine, telecommunication, etc. As a result, some components fabricated by this manufacturing process include structural chassis components and automotive body parts.

AdvantagesDisadvantagesReduce porosity, improve mechanical properties and surface quality of die castingHigh tooling costProduction of thin walled productsThe mold used in the process has a short lifeWelding and heat treatment of products is possiblePotential hollowness issuesSuitable for low volume production No requirement for expensive hard tool finishing Diminishes air pockets and bubbles at early stages 

9. Squeezing Casting

Liquid forging or squeeze casting is a hybrid metal forming process that merges permanent mold casting and die forging in a single step. In this process, a specific amount of molten metal alloy is injected into a die, and pressure is applied to shape it. Then, the metal part is heated over melting temperature and extracted from the die.

Particularly, squeezing die casting is a potential casting process for safety-critical parts in automotive systems. For example, space frame joints, aluminum front steering knuckles, chassis frames, brackets, or nodes.

This type of metal casting combines the benefits of casting and forging processes. For example, the high pressure applied during solidification helps prevent shrinkage and porosities. However, due to specific tooling requirements, it is not as popular as other casting processes for mass production.

AdvantagesDisadvantagesEliminates internal defects like pores, shrinkage holes and shrinkage porosityLess flexibility in part geometryLow surface roughnessLower productivityIt can prevent casting cracksHigh machining requirementsHigh strength componentsRequires accurate controlling, slowing down the overall processNo wastage of material 

10. Continuous Casting

As the name suggests, it allows consistent mass production of metal profiles with a constant cross-section. This type of casting is popular in the production of steel bars. Also, the vertical cast creates semi-continuous casting like billets, ingots, bars, etc.

In this process, molten metal is poured at a calculated rate in a water-cooled, open-ended mold that allows a surface of solid metal to form on the liquid metal in the center. Metal solidification, thus, happens from the outside in. After this process finishes, strands of metal can be continuously extracted from the mold. Predetermined lengths of products can be cut off by mechanical shears or traveling oxyacetylene torches.

Generally, the products created using continuous casting are homogeneous, consistent, and dense. However, it also limits its use to such applications. Some other advantages and disadvantages are:

AdvantagesDisadvantagesDiverse size range of casting products varying from a few millimeters thick strip to larger billets and slabsRequirement of continuous cooling of the molds, otherwise, center-line shrinkage developsLower costs due to continuous productionCasting of only simple shapes with a constant cross-sectionLower material wastageRequires large ground space and high initial investment

11. Shell Molding

Shell molding is an expendable mold casting process. It is similar to the sand casting process except for that the hardened shell of sand forms the mold cavity instead of a flask of sand. The sand used is finer than that utilized in sand casting and it is mixed with a resin so that it can be heat treated and hardened into the shell around the pattern.

Shell molding makes industrial products, for example, gearbox housing, connecting rod, small-size boats, truck hoods, cylindrical heads, camshafts, valve bodies, etc.

The casting products possess a good surface finish and dimensional accuracy. However, the limitation of this kind of casting includes the size and weight limitation of the parts. Some other advantages and disadvantages are:

AdvantagesDisadvantagesCasting of thin and complex partsNot suitable for small scale productionSemi-skilled laborLimitations on size and weightNo further machining requiredSpecial metal pattern required which makes it expensive for large castingAccounts for surface defects 

Basic Steps of Different Casting Production

Mostly, casting processes follow some basic steps like pattern making, mold making, selection and pouring of metal alloys and finally, finishing of the casted part.

• Pattern making

To create a pattern, it is important to determine the shape of the mold. For this, the materials used are wax, sand, plastic or even wood.

• Mold making

Following on, there is a requirement to create different types of molds for casting. Single-use mold can be made out of sand, plaster, or ceramic shell. Each of them has a different production method. Also, patterns made from foam or wax are burnt in a kiln.

• Choose metal alloys

Metal castings are produced from ferrous or non-ferrous alloys. Alloys are a chemical mixture of elements with mechanical properties which are best for the final cast applications. Where, ferrous alloys include steel, malleable iron and gray iron. While non-ferrous metals include aluminum alloys, bronze and copper.

• Melt and pour the alloy

After the selection of the metal alloys, the next step is the pouring of metal into the mold. The process involves placing a solid metal over a crucible and heating it with an open flame or inside the furnace until it melts. For small casting, pouring the molten metal directly from the crucible is possible. However, larger castings may require the transferring of metal into a larger ladle before pouring into the mold.

• Finishing

After solidification, the casting product is removed and metal surface finishing is done on it. Furthermore, the process of finishing can include the removal of excess material by scrubbing or machining for larger waste material.

Outsource Your Casting Needs to RapidDirect

It is important to choose the right type of casting process and expertise for your products. At RapidDirect, we provide you access to a team of professional engineers with a vast experience in different casting services, like die casting services, vacuum casting, etc. The expertise of our working team puts us in a better place to advise you and answer any queries that you may have.

We provide rapid online quotes for your parts on uploading a design file to our online quotation platform. You can rest assured that we provide the best at competitive market pricing.

For more information, please visit stainless steel valve pump body casting wholesaler.