The Importance of Iron Casting in the New Automotive Industry

One of the most efficient and economical means of shaping metal into a particular form is called casting- a process in which metal is heated to a molten state can be poured into a mold of choice and left to harden by foundry workers. Malleable iron is made from white cast iron by "cooking" it at temperatures from 1,500 too 1,850 degrees Fahrenheit over several days. This enables the iron carbide to break up, producing rosettes of graphite in the process. This particular iron is known for it's strength, pliability, shock resistance, and it's ability to be machined. This is one of the more popular ways of producing engine blocks, valves and iron ornaments among other items for the automotive and agricultural industries, plus many bits and pieces for the military.

Even on the most blustery winter day with every window open, casting iron is very hot, sweaty work. The temperatures of the raw materials heating up to an average of 2,850 degrees Fahrenheit (or more) can have quite the warming effect within the surrounding atmosphere.

In recent years, both the iron casting and the automotive industries have gone through some significant changes. For starters, the current higher than expected oil prices have created a demand for a smaller, lighter style of passenger vehicle. The result is a rise in car imports, leaving the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) market and it's heavy, automotive parts with a less than positive outlook. New fuel economy standards are expected to drive the renovation of iron blocks, suspension castings and carriers to aluminum in light trucks and increase the development of all lightweight metals.

2005 saw only a slight growth in the production of light vehicles, metal casting shipments rose almost 5% from 2004 to 2006 to over 14 million tons. This increase is expected to continue through the next few years to meet demand.

Many manufacturers in the United States are substituting plastics, ceramics, composites, lighter alloys, malleable iron in appliances, aerospace equipment and automotive components to help them compete in a global economy and to meet government regulations. Cast iron usage per passenger car and lightweight truck was approximately 600 pounds in 1980. By 1999, the usage had dropped to 325 pounds and industrial analysts estimated that usage could drop to under 200 pounds per vehicle within the next year.

All combined metal casting sales are estimated at $32.93 billion in 2005, and are forecast to increase to $37.67 billion by 2008, and then rise to $42.6 billion in 2015.