Feeding Systems for Sound Castings in Steel Foundries - Brochure

During solidification and cooling, liquid metals and alloys contract as they pass from the liquid state into solid. If this contraction, or shrinkage, is not compensated for, the result is a defect in the form of a cavity in the cast shape that could render the component unsuitable for use. The supply of compensating liquid metal to a casting during cooling and solidification is known as feeding. Feeding occurs by having a “reservoir” of liquid metal available that fills the cavities that would otherwise form during solidification.