There are 4 main ways of casting metals; sand casting, die casting, continuous casting and investment casting. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and is suited for producing different components or using different materials.
The Biot number predicts how a casting will solidify, and is equal to 
,
where: h = heat transfer coefficient
L = length of the casting
K = thermal conductivity
Commonly 3 zones form as the casting solidifies;
- Chill zone – small crystals form on mould wall.
- Columnar zone – larger grains growing in optimum crystallographic orientations.
- Equiaxed zone – small grains that solidified early but detached and moved back into the liquid.
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