Blog Archives
Tilt casting is a highly specialized form of metal casting that plays a vital role in modern manufacturing. It allows for the creation of complex and detailed metal parts by minimizing the defects often associated with traditional casting methods. The tilt casting process involves a slow, controlled rotation of both the crucible and the mold,…
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Manufacturers in high-compliance industries such as aerospace, defense, and energy continually identify ways to improve the quality and precision of their metal components. One such advanced method is vacuum investment casting. If you are familiar with traditional metal casting processes but have not explored the potential of vacuum investment casting, this blog will offer insight…
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Selecting the right metal alloy for high-performance applications is critical. Aluminum bronze alloys have proven themselves as a good choice for high-specification components requiring heat, wear, and corrosion resistance. This article explores how this material is revolutionizing key industries such as space exploration, defense, and energy, providing solutions that meet rigorous demands. What Makes Aluminum…
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Copper has been a cornerstone of human construction and design for thousands of years. One of the signature characteristics of copper and copper alloys (bronze, brass, copper-nickel) is their antimicrobial abilities. This property has been utilized since ancient civilizations, even though it wasn’t fully understood why or how until the 19th century. Understanding why copper…
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I am deeply saddened to inform you of former MetalTek CEO Bob Smickley’s passing. Bob passed peacefully this morning at his home in Grand Rapids, MI. He was just 72 years old. Bob started with Wisconsin Centrifugal in August 1984 to lead technical development of investment shell centrifugal casting. When Southern Centrifugal purchased Wisconsin Centrifugal,…
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Metal casting involves pouring molten metal into a die or mold to form a desired shape. Numerous types of metal casting exist, including investment, sand, centrifugal, and die. Metals are chosen for metal casting methods based on their characteristics such as corrosion and wear resistance, tensile strength, hardness, machinability, and cost. Here are eight commonly…
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MetalTek’s Carondelet Division is excited to announce that we achieved certification to produce HY-80 steel. HY-80 is a low alloy steel renowned for its exceptional strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance. These properties make HY-80 ideally suited for the naval defense market, including both submarines and surface ships. “Achieving this certification deepens MetalTek’s commitment to our…
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Investment casting has many benefits over other casting processes. Ranging from cost savings (reduced machining costs and material use) to fine detail, tight tolerances, and superb surface finishes. MetalTek’s Wisconsin Investcast Division produces investment castings up to 1,000 lbs. (finished weight). While there certainly are some drawbacks to investment casting, those aren’t related to the…
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Like many metal components, steel castings may require repair or modification during their initial casting or overall lifecycle. Weld repair, also known as upgrade, is an industry-standard practice employed to address defects, adapt castings to new requirements, or extend the life of a casting. A common misconception around weld repair is that it leads to…
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What Is Bearium Metal? Bearium Metal is a group of high lead tin bronze alloys containing virgin copper, tin, and specially processed lead. These bearing bronzes provide every desirable feature found in other bearing metals, plus certain superior characteristics which are proprietary to MetalTek International. There are four grades available: B-4, B-8, B-10, B-11. Benefits…
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