Importance of the solidification stage

The aim of this last paragraph is to illustrate the importance of the casting and solidification stages in the overall manufacturing process for metallic materials. For most products, the first step is to produce a homogeneous liquid alloy, the composition of which is chosen according to the properties required of the finished product. This liquid is prepared either from ores by reduction, refining and grading, or from pure metals by melting and mixing. Between the homogeneous liquid alloy whose composition is correctly adjusted and the solid product that has the desired properties in service, we necessarily encounter the casting and solidification stages.

The casting stage can be considered from two extreme points of view, depending on the products manufactured: it can be a stage where it is possible to control everything that is theoretically useful to control;...