Key Differences between Wrought Aluminum and Cast Aluminum

A brief overview of aluminum

Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust. Aluminum alloys are made from a unique blend of metal elements. They are appreciated for their low density, durability, corrosion resistance and excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Aluminum is less dense than steel, making it an excellent alternative to steel in certain applications.

Many aluminum alloys are malleable and malleable, making them easy to form and process. They have good electrical and thermal conductivity and are non-magnetic. Aluminum is one of the most recyclable materials and has a low remelting temperature. It requires only 5% of the energy produced by primary metals.

Wrought Aluminum vs. Cast Aluminum: What’s the Difference?

When added to aluminum, elements such as zinc, magnesium, iron, copper and silicon enhance workability, strength, electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance. The Aluminum Association classifies standard aluminum grades based on the primary alloying elements and their response to heat or mechanical treatment. Aluminum alloys are mainly divided into two categories: forged aluminum and cast aluminum. Cast aluminum alloys and deformed aluminum alloys differ significantly in many aspects. They include the following:

1.Metal alloy elements

Wrought alloys contain less additional metal than cast alloys. The alloying element content of wrought alloys is generally less than 4%, while the alloying element content of cast alloys exceeds 22%. This seemingly trivial difference has a much larger impact on the material properties of these metals.

Adding more alloying agents reduces the flexibility of the aluminum alloy. Therefore, most cast alloys are prone to brittle fracture. On the other hand, deformed aluminum alloys can retain their flexibility and other beneficial properties by adding additional alloying elements. At the same time, they also increase strength, electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance.

2.Production Method

The main difference between these two grades lies in the manufacturing techniques used in these alloys to achieve the final product. Cast alloys usually come out of the mold in the exact solid form required. In contrast, wrought alloys require various modifications while in the solid state. Therefore, the differences in their manufacture significantly affect the possible form and physical properties of the final product.

3.Feature

Cast aluminum alloys have lower melting points and tensile strengths than wrought aluminum. High silicon concentration makes casting easier. Therefore, aluminum-silicon alloys are often used. Forged aluminum is finding new applications, with manufacturers using a variety of methods to produce prototypes and parts.