Casting is a process in which molten metal flows by gravity or other force into a mold where it solidifies in the shape of the mold cavity. The term casting is also applied to the part that is made by this process. It is one of the oldest shaping processes dating back 6000 years (Historical Note 9.1). The principle of casting seems simple: melt the metal, pour it into a mold, and let it cool and solidify; yet there are many factors and variables that must be considered in order to accomplish a successful casing operation.
Casting includes both the casting of ingots and the casting of shapes. The term ingot is usually associated with the primary metals industries: it describes a large casting that is simple in shape and intended for subsequent reshaping by.