Stainless Steel Production and Processing
Stainless steel products are created in a seven-step manufacturing process. Peer into the factory to see how stainless products are made.
18
Oct
Metal Casting
16
Oct
Ask an Engineer: Austenitic Stainless Steel
Though austenitic stainless steels are expensive they still capture 70% of the market. Learn what makes this rust-resistant, formable, weldable steel stay tough even at cryogenic temperatures.
10
Oct
Steel Pipe: An Introduction
Steel pipes are commonly used in many industries, from scaffolding poles to sewage tunnels. Learn more about the production, use, and history of steel pipes.
31
Jul
Flexible Iron? Ductile Iron vs. Cast Iron
All iron alloys poured in a foundry are cast iron. However, ductile is a relative newcomer…one that is surprisingly flexible.
25
Jun
Globalization of Production
Read our interview with Brian Done, a foundryman for 46 years, on the business of general manufacturing—and what has been lost in an era that has seen the globalization of production.
29
May
Stages of Rust
When oxidation occurs, the metal’s surface forms a scale that darkens to a patina. The alloy in question will determine if the corrosion is invasive or not. In cast iron, rust—a ferrous oxide—can form a thin, protective layer against pitting.
10
May
Business Success: Saved through Innovation
In the 1990s, most foundries were local, doing custom castings. Globalization created challenges for all but a few. Read the business success story of a family foundry that had to innovate to save the company.
24
Apr
Maintaining your Stainless Steel
Yes, stainless steel can rust. From red rusted scratches to an all over speckle, corrosion can dull stainless’ silver shine. To prevent corrosion from blemishing your outdoor stainless steel, check out our guide to stainless steel maintenance.
30
Jan
Metal Passivation: Preventing Iron & Steel from Getting Active
Metal corrosion can eat away at parts, causing them to fail. Passivation creates a self-healing chemical seal that uses corrosion to defeat corrosion. Learn about passivation in stainless steel, aluminum, and other metals.
24
Jan
What is Sand Casting?
Sand casting is a versatile and economical casting method. Learn how it works.
29
Aug
Spectrometers for Elemental Testing and Analysis
Spectrochemical analysis is used to determine the arrangement of atoms and electrons within molecules of chemical compounds. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is a type of spectrochemical analysis that determines elemental components in solid metal samples, often used in foundries.
08
Aug
Ask a Metallurgist: What is Rust?
Rust: the red flaky corrosion of iron and steel. It’s so common as to be unremarkable…yet what is it, exactly? Why don’t silver, aluminum, or zinc rust? Peek into the world of metal to learn how corrosion hits ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.
20
Jul
History of Vancouver Foundries
Before Vancouver became the City of Glass, it was host to a strong manufacturing base. Foundries first appeared in Vancouver near the beginning of the 20th century, and they saw rapid growth over the course of several decades.
26
Jun
Introduction à la Fonte: Historique, Types, Propriétés et Utilisations
ENGLISH | ESPAÑOL
La fonte a de nombreuses applications...
20
Jun
Steel Grading: Chemistry and Properties
Learn more about steel grading systems and the effects of microstructure, hot and cold forming, and heat treatment.
18
Jun
What is Investment Casting?
Investment casting is capable of producing complex parts with excellent as-cast surface finishes. Learn how it works.
11
Jun
Rate it, Don’t Break it—Hardness Testing and the Foundry
What is hardness testing? The Brinell hardness test, Rockwell hardness test, and Leeb rebound hardness test show the properties of castings.
28
May
ASTM A27 Steel: Choosing the Right Grade for your Casting
Learn how to select the right grade and class of ASTM A27 steel for your casting project. Each grade varies based on chemical composition, and type of heat treating needed to affect changes in mechanical properties. Find out the differences between testing steel for tensile strength vs. hardness.
14
May
Secondary Processing
After a casting is done, cleaned, heat treated and tested, there may be secondary processing needed to finish it for its application. Read about machining, assembling, and finishes that happen in the foundry or off-site to finalize the casting for use.
30
Apr
Heat Treatment in Ferrous Foundries
Heat treating metal influences the microstructures of a metal which give the material all its mechanical properties. Learn what changes are made when annealing, normalizing, quenching, or tempering steel.