This episode is Part 1 of a 2-Part series addressing structural design of steel castings, especially the largely untapped capability of steel castings to achieve lower-than-expected mass while sustaining their long cyclic life capability.  Fundamental in this entire SFSA webinar series on Steel Casting Design and Manufacturing Engineering is the principle of Castability Geometry.  Castability Geometry enables any alloy among the 3 steel casting alloy sub-groups to “like” the mold cavity geometry that it flows into.  That compatibility between alloy characteristics and the steel casting design shape enables much easier producibility of surface and microstructural integrity.

Control of a load case with specified mechanical properties and intended cyclic life is accomplished with Structural Geometry.  Logically, Structural Geometry must be compatible with and overlaid upon Castability Geometry.

“Quality Detail” is a term coined by SFSA to express the idea of casting imperfections that are not necessarily surface or solidification integrity non-conformances.  This Part 1 addresses a design and durability analysis engineers question, “Is cast steel really steel as I know it in wrought forms?”  The answer is “Yes,” and Part 1 demonstrates “really steel” with data and steel casting durability examples from the author’s own steel casting design and production experience.