The durability and toughness of a structure depend on more than just the structure’s material. Little things such as metallurgy and crystal structure have a big impact on the physical qualities of an object, so it’s essential to understand how various manufacturing techniques affect things. A simple metal bar can be made in several different ways, some of which offer a lot more strength and durability than the others.
Centrifugal casting is one popular manufacturing technique that’s being used to make more durable products. This casting process can be used to cast several different materials, with thin-walled cylinders being a typical result. The big benefit to centrifugal casting is that it produces some of the highest-quality products on the market since it can be used to control the crystal structure of an object. Because of this, centrifugal casting is becoming an essential part of several industries. To learn more about centrifugal casting and the industries and applications where it’s used, check out this list we’ve put together.
1. Jet Engines
If there’s one place where precision and durability are essential, it’s the aviation industry. Jet turbines need to go beyond meeting standards for quality by attempting to eliminate any risk of engine failure. Jet engines need to withstand extreme changes in elevation, high temperatures and the stress that comes with powering a massive jet. Because centrifugal casting allows for such precise, high-quality manufacturing, this casting technique is commonly used to manufacture jet engines. Even land-based turbine engines utilize centrifugal casting when it comes to the manufacturing process. For jet engines and other parts that can’t afford to fail, centrifugal casting is the casting technique of choice.
2. The Petrochemical Industry
The petrochemical industry faces unique challenges due to the extreme temperatures that are present in petrochemical processing plants. In addition to extreme temperatures, petrochemical plants also need to withstand the high pressure that comes with petrochemical processing. Centrifugal casting is used in everything from hydrogen reforming to ethylene pyrolysis and everything in between. Centrifugal casting allows for the precise manufacture of parts essential to petrochemical plants, but it also provides the durability and resistance necessary to a petrochemical plant.
3. Boilers
As far as high pressure and extreme temperatures go, boilers have a lot of obstacles to overcome. Centrifugal casting is used to make sure the parts in a boiler can withstand the rapid changes in pressure and temperature that they must endure. By having more control over the crystal structure and metallurgy of a part, centrifugal casting allows for constant innovation in boilers. Centrifugal casting is also commonly used in furnaces, as this is another application where extreme pressure changes and temperature increases are common. When a commercial building needs hot water and heat delivered to every corner of the property, boiler manufacturers rely on centrifugal casting to manufacture the most reliable products.
4. Pressure Vessels
We’ve already mentioned how excellent centrifugal casting is when it comes to withstanding pressure, so it should come as no surprise that this casting technique is common in the manufacture of pressure vessels. Pressure vessels are designed to hold gases or liquids at exceptionally high or low pressure compared to the ambient pressure. These vessels are used in everything from compressors for refrigerators to compressed gas cylinders and vacuum chambers, and it’s all made possible thanks to the durability that centrifugal casting offers.
5. Pipes
Since centrifugal casting is most commonly used to create a cylinder of metal with thin walls, it’s becoming one of the most popular techniques for pipes that require a little extra durability. Nothing catastrophic is going to happen if a water line in a residential home fails, but that’s not the case when you’re talking about high-tech lines that carry other liquids and gases in commercial settings. These pipes need to be manufactured to the highest standards to prevent the loss of expensive contents, keep commercial facilities running and keep employees safe from potential accidents. Centrifugal casting is the method of choice when it comes to applications where reliability is key, whether that means manufacturing pipes that carry chemicals or creating stronger connections that are less prone to leaking.
6. Industries that Require Reliability
If there’s one theme you’ll notice in every industry where centrifugal casting is used, it’s that reliability is a key concern. No matter what industry you’re in, there’s a good chance centrifugal casting is used in some way if your reliability is essential to your industry. While centrifugal casting may result in parts that are a bit more expensive than traditional parts, you can save a fortune by avoiding downtime and minimizing the amount of maintenance your equipment needs. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the stress that can come with equipment failure in a commercial setting. All of this is made possible by the superior reliability that centrifugal casting offers.
