A Guide to Centrifugal Casting

Centrifugal casting, also known as rotocasting, is a casting process that can create thin-walled cylinders
of metal that are of high quality. It is often used to make stock materials in applications where the
standardization and quality are important. Here are some things to know about centrifugal casting.

What is Centrifugal Casting?

Centrifugal casting is the process of casting metals such as iron, steel, and aluminum alloys into a
rotating mold. In the normal casting process, these metals are poured into a mold that forms them into a
precise shape as they cool. This works well for most applications where the finished product has a solid
metal core. Centrifugal casting works in the opposite way, creating shapes that are hollow inside. This is
done by pouring liquid metal into a mold that is rotating at a high speed. Instead of filling the center of
the mold, the metal moves to the outer walls.

Types of Centrifugal Casting

There are three basic types of centrifugal casting: horizontal, vertical, and vacuum. Horizontal centrifugal
castings rotate on a horizontal axis to create long cylindrical parts using fast speeds. Vertical centrifugal
casting uses dies that rotates on a vertical axis and may use sand or ceramic molds to achieve outer
diameter shaping. In the vacuum centrifugal casting process, the process takes place in a vacuum to
limit the metal’s exposure to oxygen, which could react with some metals.

How Does Centrifugal Casting Work?

The process starts when a molten metal is poured into a mold as it spins around. The centrifugal force
distributes the metal at an intense pressure greater than that of gravity. As the die fills with the molten
metal, the densest metal is forced to the wall of the die while lighter metals stay closer to the core. The
result is a formed metal object that is hollow and generally has a rounded outer shape.

Benefits of Centrifugal Casting

Centrifugal casting creates a high-quality finished product that is known for its controlled metallurgy and
crystal structure. The process can create castings that have rotational symmetry. In traditional casting
applications, it is difficult to create thin-walled cylinders.

Applications for Centrifugal Casting

Due to the high material soundness that results from centrifugal casting, it is an excellent choice for
creating materials that need a consistent and reliable level of quality. Many components used in
manufacturing, industrial, military, and aeronautics applications benefit from centrifugal casting. It can
also be used to make items that will be placed under high pressure such as underground pipes, tubes,
and cylindrical objects with highly dense outer shells.

Atlas Bronze is a leading distributor of bronze, copper, brass, iron, and sintered products in the U.S. If you’re in the market for metal engineered products, including high quality centrifugal castings, contact Atlas Bronze by contacting us or shopping in our online store. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about our castings and the various applications in which they can be used.