| Metal | Pour Temp | Mold Requirement | Wood Pattern Prep | |-------|-----------|------------------|--------------------| | Aluminum | 1250–1350°F | Green sand, dry sand | Sealed, waxed | | Bronze | 1900–2100°F | Petrobond (oil sand) | Heavy draft, smooth | | Gray Iron | 2500–2700°F | Dry sand + graphite wash | Avoid sharp corners | | Zinc | 800–900°F | Green sand | Any sealing works |
Pack unsealed wood pattern in dry olivine sand, pour molten metal directly onto wood. Wood gasifies, metal fills void. Risk: violent steam explosion if wood moisture >8%. Requires venting. When casting metal into a mold made from a wood pattern (Method A or C), follow these metal-specific guidelines: woodman casting
You are not casting wood . You are casting the absence of wood . The wood pattern burns, shrinks, or is removed, leaving a void that faithfully records its grain, tool marks, and texture. | Metal | Pour Temp | Mold Requirement