Benefits of Sand Casting
There are trade-offs to explore among the casting processes. The chart included below is a general guide. Of course, these are relative measures and may not all apply to your specific needs. For example, the "cost per piece" may be higher in sand casting for long runs, but lower in short runs because of the lower cost of the mold itself.
| Sand | Permanent Mold | Investment | Comp | Die | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Good | Best | Good | Best | Good |
| Structural Density | Good | Best | Good | Best | Fair |
| Reproducibility | Fair | Good | Good | Best | Best |
| Pressure Tightness | Good | Best | Good | Best | Fair |
| Cost per Piece | Fair | Good | Poor | Poor | Best |
| Production Rate | Fair | Good | Poor | Fair | Best |
| Alloy Range | Best | Good | Good | Good | Fair |
| Tolerances | Fair | Good | Best | Best | Best |
| Design Flexibility | Best | Good | Best | Best | Fair |
| Size Limitation | Best | Good | Fair | Good | Good |
| Surface Finish | Fair | Good | Best | Best | Best |
| Tooling Lead Time | Best | Good | Good | Fair | Good |
| Mold Cost | Best | Good | Good | Poor | Fair |