Sand casting is the backbone of heavy-duty component production, combining low tooling cost with nearly limitless geometric freedom.
Among cast alloys, Anglies plienas (with carbon below 0.30 wt%) stands out for delivering toughness, stiprybė, and weldability in parts ranging from small pump housings to multi-ton gearbox cases.
In this comprehensive review, we explore carbon steel sand casting from its metallurgical roots through process steps, design practices, ir kokybės kontrolę.
2. What Is Carbon Steel Sand Casting?
Į carbon steel sand casting, foundries pour molten carbon steel—defined by 0.05–0.30 wt% carbon—into molds formed from unbonded or bonded sand.
Unlike higher-alloy steels, carbon steel offers a delicate balance iš stiprybė, Tvirtumas, Aparatas, ir suvirinamumas, all at a lower cost per kilogram.
Be to, sand-casting tooling budgets start as low as USD 500 for simple patterns, enabling economical production of prototypes and one-off parts, as well as batch runs into the tens of thousands of units.

3. Metalurginiai pamatai
A robust understanding of carbon steel’s metallurgy underpins every successful sand-casting application.
Ypač, the interplay of Anglies kiekis, silicon levels, and minor legiravimo elementai dictates fluidity, shrinkage behavior,
and the as-cast microstructure, each of which influences mechanical performance and defect propensity.
Anglies & Steel Classification
Angliniai plienai fall into three broad categories based on their weight-percent carbon:
- Mažai anglies dioksido išskiriantis plienas (≤ 0.15 % C): Yield ultimate tensile strengths (UTS) iš 350–450 MPa and elongations exceeding 20 %, making them highly ductile and weldable.
- Medium-Carbon Steels (0.15–0.30 % C): Offer UTS of 450– 550 MPa with elongations of 10–15 %, balancing strength and toughness.
- Aukštos anglies plienai (> 0.30 % C): Exhibit UTS above 600 MPA, but their as-cast brittleness limits widespread use in sand casting.

Common cast grades include ASTM A216 WCB (0.24–0.27 % C, UTS ~ 415 MPA), ASTM A27 (0.23–0.29 % C, UTS ~ 345 MPA), and DIN GS-42 (0.38–0,45 % C, UTS ~ 520 MPA).
These grades illustrate how subtle shifts in carbon content translate to distinct strength and ductility profiles.
Silicon’s Role in Fluidity & Susitraukimas
Silicis, typically present at 1.8–2.2 %, performs a dual function:
- Fluidity Enhancement: Kiekvienas 0.5 % increase in Si can improve the molten steel’s fluidity by up to 12 %, ensuring more complete mold filling and finer detail reproduction.
- Shrinkage Control: Silicon promotes graphitization during solidification, reducing volumetric shrinkage porosity by approximately 15 % compared to low-Si alloys.
Todėl, foundries often target silicon levels near the upper range to minimize internal voids and improve surface finish.
Alloying Additions for Specialized Properties
Beyond carbon and silicon, Manganas, Chromas, ir molibdenas tailor performance for demanding environments:
- Manganas (0.6–1,0 %): Veikia kaip deoksidatorius, refines grain size, and boosts tensile strength by up to 20 % without severely compromising toughness.
- Chromas (≤ 0.5 %): Increases hardenability and wear resistance, especially valuable in components subject to abrasive media.
- Molibdenas (≤ 0.3 %): Elevates high-temperature strength and creep resistance, making it indispensable in parts like exhaust manifolds and steam-trap bodies.
As-Cast Microstructure
As the molten steel cools in a sand mold, it solidifies into a ferrite–pearlite matrica:
- Feritas (minkštas, plastiškas) forms first at temperatures just below the liquidus, providing the foundation for toughness.
- Perlitas (lamellar cementite–ferrite) emerges at lower temperatures, imparting hardness and wear resistance.
Typical sand-cast cooling rates (1–5 °C/s) yield a ferrite fraction of 40–60 %, with pearlite comprising the balance.
Storesnėse dalyse, slower cooling can increase pearlite content, raising hardness by up to 15 Hb but reducing elongation by 2–3 %.
4. Sand-Casting Process Overview
Sand casting transforms molten carbon steel into complex shapes by using expendable sand molds.
Žemiau, we detail each major step—pattern and coremaking, mold construction, pouring and solidification, and shake-out with cleaning—while highlighting data-driven best practices.
Pattern and Coremaking
Pirmiausia ir svarbiausia, pattern accuracy dictates as-cast tolerances. Foundries typically use:
Pattern Materials:
- CNC-machined aluminum laikosi ±0,02 mm matmenų tikslumas.
- Wood patterns (for low volumes) pasiekti ± 0,2 mm.
- 3D-printed resin patterns eliminate lead times on complex shapes.
Core Production:
- Green-sand cores combine 85–90 % silicio smėlis, 5–7 % bentonito molis, and 2–3 % vanduo, then compact under 4–6 bar air pressure.
- No-Bake resin cores use phenolic or furan binders, offering core strengths of 4– 6 MPa with permeability above 300 Gas m³/m²·min.
Through precise pattern and coremaking, foundries minimize dimensional variation and internal defects.
Mold Construction
Mold Composition:
- 90 % silicio smėlis, 5–7 % molis, ir 2–3 % water for green-sand molds.
- Chemiškai sujungti smėliai (Pvz., furan resin) reduce moisture to < 0.5 %, tightening tolerances to CT9–CT12.
Compaction & Kietumas:
- Taikinys matrix hardness iš 60–70 HA (Shore A) ensures mold integrity and consistent shrinkage.
- Proper pralaidumas (≥ 300 Gas m³/m²·min) prevents gas entrapment and porosity.
Formos surinkimas:
- Engineers place cores in the cope and drag, using chaplets or core prints to maintain alignment within ±0,5 mm.
- They apply parting coats (typically 0.1–0.3 mm thickness) to ease pattern release and improve surface finish.
By controlling sand properties and compaction, sand-casting molds consistently meet ISO CT11–CT14 pajėgumus.

Pilimas ir kietėjimas
With molds ready, foundries proceed:
Melt Preparation:
- Induction furnaces heat carbon steel to 1450–1550 °C, holding for 5–10 minutes to homogenize chemistry.
- Foundry engineers deslag and adjust carbon and silicon to target composition (± 0.02 % C, ± 0.05 % Ir).
Vartai & Riser Design:
- A well-balanced gate area (vartai: runner ratio ~ 1:3) ensures laminar flow.
- Rizikai sized at 10 % of casting volume feed shrinkage, usually located at the heaviest section to promote directional solidification.
Aušinimo greitis:
- Thin sections cool at 5–10 °C/s, favoring ferrite formation and finer grain sizes (~ 15 µm).
- Thick walls cool at 1–3 °C/s; šaltkrėtis (Pvz., copper inserts) accelerate local solidification by up to 50 %, reducing shrink porosity.
By combining precise melt control with optimized gating, foundries achieve sound, dimensionally consistent castings.
Shake-Out, Valymas, ir Fettling
Pagaliau, castings emerge from the mold:
Shake-Out:
- Automated vibratory systems separate sand from metal within 5–10 minutes per batch.
Desanding & Šūvys sprogdinimas:
- High-pressure air or wheel-blast systems remove residual sand, achieving a base finish of Ra 6–12 µm.
Fettling Operations:
- Workers grind or machine gate and riser stubs, trim flash, and blend transitions, typically removing 1– 3 mm of stock to meet final dimensional tolerances.
Pre-Inspection:
- Castings undergo visual checks and dimensional spot-measurements (± 0.5 mm on critical features) before moving to full inspection.
Through systematic shake-out and cleaning, foundries prepare carbon steel castings for rigorous quality assurance and possible post-cast treatments.
5. Design for Sand Casting
Effective cast designs account for:
- Grimzlės kampai (1–3 °): Prevent pattern damage; tighter angles increase tool wear.
- Machining Stock (1– 3 mm): Ensures final features fall within CT11–CT12 without rework.
- Contraction Allowance (1.0–1.3 mm/100 mm): Compensates for solidification shrink.
- Vienodas sienos storis (±10 mm): Avoids hot spots and internal stresses.
- Filė & Spindulys (> 1 mm): Curtail stress concentrations and streamline metal flow.
- Gating/Riser Placement: Align risers with thick sections to promote kryptinis kietėjimas, reducing shrink porosity by 30 %.
6. Process Capability & Dimensional Control
Controlling dimensions and achieving repeatable tolerances in carbon steel sand casting remains both a challenge and a benchmark of foundry excellence.
Tolerance Grades in Sand Casting
Dimensional tolerance refers to the permissible limits of variation in a physical dimension of a cast component.
In sand casting, tolerances are most commonly classified under the ISO 8062-3 standartinis, which defines Casting Tolerance Grades (KT) nuo CT1 (most precise) į CT16 (least precise).
For carbon steel sand castings, the achievable tolerance grades typically fall within:
| Liejimo procesas | ISO Tolerance Grade | Linear Dimensional Tolerance Range (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Žalias smėlis | CT13 – CT14 | ±2.0 – ±3.5 mm (už 100 mm dimension) |
| Kepkite smėlį | CT11 – CT13 | ±1.0 – ±2.5 mm |
| Apvalkalo pelėsis | CT8 – CT10 | ±0.6 – ±1.5 mm |
Key Factors Affecting Dimensional Precision
1. Sand Characteristics
- Grūdų smulkumas: Finer grains enhance detail reproduction and surface finish but reduce permeability and may affect mold integrity.
- Moisture & Binder Content: Improper sand mix ratios cause mold distortion or gas-related defects, leading to dimensional inconsistencies.
2. Mold Compaction
- Uniform compaction ensures consistent cavity dimensions. Inadequate ramming or vibration can cause localized wall collapse or variation.
3. Šablono tikslumas
- Pattern wear, terminis iškraipymas, or manual carving can introduce errors. CNC-milled or 3D-printed patterns improve reproducibility.
4. Thermal Shrinkage
- Carbon steel typically contracts by 1.0% į 2.5% during solidification and cooling, depending on composition and geometry.
- Complex geometries may require differential shrinkage allowances.
5. Skyriaus storis
- Thin-walled areas cool faster and contract more uniformly.
- Thick sections may exhibit centerline shrinkage, karštos vietos, or warping if not properly risered or chilled.
Techniques for Improved Dimensional Control
To enhance casting precision and reduce post-machining requirements, modern foundries employ several strategies:
- Use of Rigid Molding Systems: Chemically bonded sand molds exhibit better dimensional stability than traditional green sand.
- Mold Pre-heating: Heating molds before pouring reduces temperature differentials and warping.
- Chill Placement: Strategically placed metal chills accelerate cooling in hot spots to reduce uneven contraction.
- Simulation Software: Solidification modeling and thermal simulation help predict and compensate for shrinkage and distortion in design.

Surface Finish Expectations
Surface roughness in sand-cast carbon steel is generally measured in Ra (mikronų):
| Molding Process | Tipiškas paviršiaus šiurkštumas (Ra) |
|---|---|
| Žalias smėlis | 12 - 25 µm |
| Kepkite smėlį | 6 - 12 µm |
| Korpuso formavimas | 3 - 6 µm |
7. Kokybės užtikrinimas & Testavimas
Mechaninis bandymas
Foundries validate mechanical performance per:
- ASTM E8: Tensile strength and elongation.
- ASTM E23: Charpy V-notch impact toughness.
- Rokvelo kietumas (HRC 20–30): Measures surface hardness.
Non-Destructive Evaluation
We use:
- Radiografija: Detects internal porosity ≥ 2 mm.
- Ultragarsinis bandymas: Locates volumetric flaws ≥ 1 mm.
- Magnetinių dalelių patikrinimas: Reveals surface cracks ≥ 0.5 mm.
Statistinis proceso valdymas
By tracking Cp ir Cpk, foundries ensure Cpk ≥ 1.33 for critical dimensions.
Pirmas gaminio patikrinimas (FAI) confirms that initial castings meet DCTG requirements before full production runs.
8. Gydymas po liejimo
While the initial casting process defines the shape and general properties of carbon steel components,
Post-casting treatments play a critical role in enhancing mechanical performance, matmenų tikslumas, Paviršiaus kokybė, ir ilgalaikis patvarumas.
These secondary operations are not merely refinements—they are essential steps that transform raw castings into high-performance industrial components capable of withstanding harsh service conditions.
Šilumos procedūros
Carbon steel castings often undergo a series of Šilumos procedūros to tailor their microstructure and improve mechanical properties.
The choice of treatment depends on the application requirements, desired hardness, ausmingumas, and internal stress state.
Normalizavimas
- Procesas: Heating to ~870–950 °C, po to aušinimas oru.
- Tikslas: Patobulina grūdų struktūrą, relieves internal stresses, ir pagerina apdirbamumą.
- Efektas: Promotes a uniform ferrite-pearlite matrix with improved strength and toughness.
Gesinimas ir grūdinimas
- Procesas: Greitas aušinimas (typically in oil or water) from the austenitizing temperature (~840–900 °C), followed by reheating to ~500–650 °C.
- Tikslas: Increases hardness and tensile strength while controlling brittleness.
- Tipiškas taikymas: Wear-resistant components and structural parts subjected to impact.
Atkaitinimas
- Procesas: Slow cooling from ~800–850 °C.
- Tikslas: Softens the material for easier machining and improves dimensional stability.
- Efektas: Produces a coarse ferritic structure with reduced hardness and strength.
Stresas palengvina
- Temperatūros diapazonas: 540–650 °C.
- Tikslas: Reduces residual stresses from uneven solidification or machining without significantly altering microstructure.
Duomenų taškas: ASTM A216 WCB castings, a common low-carbon steel grade, typically reach tensile strengths of 485–655 MPa after normalizing and tempering.
Surface Enhancement Methods
Surface quality is crucial in environments exposed to wear, korozija, or friction. Post-casting surface treatments not only improve aesthetics but also significantly extend component life.
Shot Blasting and Shot Peening
- Tikslas: Removes residual sand, skalė, and oxides; improves fatigue life by inducing compressive surface stress.
- Paviršiaus šiurkštumas: Reduced to 6–12 µm Ra, depending on media and intensity.
Coatings and Dengimas
- Cinko danga (Galvanizavimas): Padidina atsparumą korozijai, especially for outdoor or marine use.
- Phosphate and Black Oxide Coatings: Provide lubrication and minimal rust protection.
- Chrome or Nickel Plating: Used in specialized applications for enhanced surface hardness or chemical resistance.
Tapyba ir Miltelių danga
- Common for non-critical surfaces, providing both corrosion resistance and visual appeal.
- Typically applied after machining to preserve dimensional tolerances.
CNC Machining of Cast Carbon Steel
Due to the casting skin, microstructural heterogeneity, and potential residual stresses, cast carbon steel requires carefully selected CNC apdirbimas strategies to maintain tolerance and avoid tool wear.

Apdirbimo aspektai:
- Įrankiai: Use of carbide or coated tools for improved wear resistance.
- Feeds and Speeds: Mažesnis pjovimo greitis (60–120 m/min) and moderate feeds to reduce chatter and heat generation.
- Coolant Use: Emulsified cutting fluids are recommended for thermal control and chip evacuation.
- Pašalpa: Typically 1–3 mm of machining stock is left on cast surfaces for finish machining.
9. Pagrindiniai pramoniniai pritaikymai
Aliejus & Dujų pramonė
- Vožtuvo kūnai
- Siurblių korpusai
- Flanges and Fittings
Heavy Equipment Manufacturing
- Gearbox Housings
- Track Links and Idlers
- Atsvarai
Infrastructure Development
- Šulinių dangčiai ir rėmai
- Railway Components
- Water and Sewage System Parts
Automobiliai ir transportas
- Variklio komponentai
- Važiuoklės ir pakabos dalys
- Truck and Trailer Parts
Energijos generavimas
- Turbine Casings
- Slėginiai indai
- Heat Exchanger Components
Jūrų ir laivų statyba
- Propeller Shafts and Bearings
- Deck Machinery Components
- Hull Fittings
Atsinaujinanti energija
- Wind Turbine Hubs and Frames
- Hydroelectric Turbine Components
- Solar Mounting Structures
10. Common Carbon Steel Casting Grades (Pasaulinė apžvalga)
| Standard Body | Standard Number | Pažymys | Įprastas naudojimo atvejis | Pastabos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM (JAV) | ASTM A216 | WCA, WCB, WCC | Vožtuvo kūnai, siurblių korpusai | Widely used for pressure-containing castings |
| ASTM A27 | 60-30, 65-35, 70-36, 80-50 | General engineering applications | For general-purpose steel castings | |
| ASTM A148 | 80-50, 90-60, 105-85 | High-strength mechanical parts | Often used in gears, stebulės, and structural uses | |
| ASTM A352 | LCA, LCB, LCC | Low-temp service (kriogeninis) | Suitable for low-temperature pressure systems | |
| Į (Europa) | Į 10213 | GP240GH, GP280GH | Pressure vessels and fittings | Heat-resistant steel casting grades |
| Į 10293 | GS-38, GS-45, GS-52 | Mechanical engineering | General-purpose cast steels | |
| Nuo (Vokietija) | Nuo 1681 | GS-C25, GS-C35 | Construction and machinery parts | Used in DIN-standard castings |
| GB (Kinija) | GB/T 11352 | ZG270-500, ZG310-570 | Machinery and industrial components | High strength and toughness |
| GB/T 5676 | ZG16Mn, ZG35 | Structural use, hidraulinės sistemos | Geras suvirinamumas ir apdirbamumas | |
| JIS (Japonija) | JIS G5502 | SC410, SC450, SC480, SC520 | Automobiliai, mechanikos inžinerija | Carbon and alloy steel casting grades |
| BS (JK) | BS 3100 | A1, A2, A4 | Tiltai, railway, Jūrų paraiškos | Standardized mechanical steel casting grades |
| GOST (Russia) | GOST 977-88 | 20L, 25L, 35L, 45L | General cast components | Used in CIS countries for industrial parts |
| YRA (Indija) | YRA 1030 | 230-450 W, 280-520 W | Engineering castings | Standard for general-purpose carbon steel |
11. Tai’s Sand Casting Capabilities
As a trusted name in precision metalcasting, DEZE liejykla brings decades of experience and innovation to the carbon steel sand casting industry.
Combining advanced facilities, robust engineering practices, and rigorous quality assurance,
Tai has established itself as a strategic partner for demanding global clients across the oil & dujos, transportavimas, energija, and heavy equipment sectors.
Foundry Infrastructure & Technologija
Tai operates fully integrated sand casting lines designed for medium to large-scale castings pradedant nuo 2 kg to over 5,000 kg. Our facilities feature:
- Automated molding lines for high repeatability and consistent dimensional accuracy
- Flexible mold types: Žalias smėlis, furan no-bake, and resin-bonded systems
- 3D atspausdinti modeliai and CNC-machined tooling for rapid prototyping and complex geometries
- On-site melting capacity with electric arc and induction furnaces supporting both carbon and low-alloy steels
Carbon Steel Grades Offered
We produce a broad range of carbon steel grades, tailored for both structural and wear-critical applications, įskaitant:
- ASTM A216 WCB – Pressure-retaining components, general-purpose carbon steel
- ASTM A27 klasė 60-30 / 70-36 – General industrial use, low to medium strength
- ASTM A148 105-85 – High-strength casting for wear and fatigue resistance
- Customized grades with alloying elements (Kr, MO, Mn, Į) to meet client specifications
All melt compositions are verified using spectrometric analysis and controlled to within tight tolerances for consistency.
Matmenų tikslumas & Proceso valdymas
Tai casts to tolerance grades between CT10–CT13, with achievable surface finishes of Ra 6–12 µm, depending on mold process and part complexity.
Dimensional accuracy is enhanced through:
- Controlled mold compaction and moisture regulation
- Process simulations using MAGMAsoft® ir ProCAST už vartus, stovas, and solidification optimization
- In-process monitoring and Statistinis proceso valdymas (SPC) to minimize casting variation
For mission-critical components, CT scanning ir CMM patikrinimas validate geometrical conformance and internal integrity.
Post-Casting Services
To deliver ready-to-assemble components, Tai offers a comprehensive suite of finishing and post-processing services:
- Heat treatment in-house: normalizuojantis, atkaitinimas, gesinimas, ir grūdinimas
- Machining to tight tolerances with CNC turning, frezavimas, ir gręžimas
- Paviršiaus apsauga: šūvių sprogdinimas, Tapyba, cinkavimas, and custom coatings
- Neardomieji bandymai (Ndt): ultragarsinis, radiographic, ir magnetinės dalelių patikrinimas
12. Išvada
Carbon steel sand casting delivers unmatched value for heavy-duty, large-volume components.
By integrating sound metallurgical practices, robust process controls, design-for-castability, and rigorous QA, manufacturers can produce durable parts that meet tight functional demands at competitive cost.
Tai yra puikus pasirinkimas jūsų gamybos poreikiams, jei jums reikia aukštos kokybės carbon steel sand casting services.



