Demand for U.S. Casting Shipments to Contract 4% in 2001.Domestic casting shipments are expected to shrink due to a tightening economy and rising imports, but days of higher demand are on the horizon. The decline in casting shipments in began in the third quarter of 2000, is expected to continue into 01 and decrease total metalcasting shipments by 4% this year, based on an anticipated slowdown For articles with similar titles, see Slow Down (disambiguation). A slowdown is an industrial action in which employees perform their duties but seek to reduce productivity or efficiency in their performance of these duties. in the U.S. economy. Interviews with econometric e·con·o·met·rics n. (used with a sing. verb) Application of mathematical and statistical techniques to economics in the study of problems, the analysis of data, and the development and testing of theories and models. forecasters and buyers of metal castings Metal casting A metal-forming process whereby molten metal is poured into a cavity or mold and, when cooled, solidifies and takes on the characteristic shape of the mold. support the long held expectation that a contraction contraction, in physics contraction, in physics: see expansion. contraction, in grammar contraction, in writing: see abbreviation. contraction - reduction in domestic casting demand will take place in '01. Among the trends affecting metalcasting shipments are: * light vehicle production in the U.S., which was expected to reach 12 million vehicles again in 2000, is expected to decline to 11.3 million in '01. Light truck shipments are forecast to continue to exceed 50% of the total vehicle production, but a slight rebound rebound (rē´bownd), n/v 1. a recovery from illness. n 2. an outbreak of fresh reflex activity after withdrawal of a stimulus rebound adjective in passenger cars is forecast for the long term. A 1.5% annual growth rate in light vehicle production is forecast for the first decade of the new century. Medium-to-heavy truck shipments, which peaked in '99, are predicted to drop again in '01 and not see another peak for several years; * freight car and locomotive locomotive, vehicle used to pull a train of unpowered railroad cars. Types of Locomotives The steam-powered locomotive played a key role during the development and golden age of railroading, but, despite its long and picturesque history, it has production, which peaked in the previous 2 years, declined slightly last year and is expected to decline further in the next 2 years; * castings imports from Asia, Latin America Latin America, the Spanish-speaking, Portuguese-speaking, and French-speaking countries (except Canada) of North America, South America, Central America, and the West Indies. , Europe and other countries with weak currency exchange rates, are affecting casting shipments from domestic suppliers and causing pricing pressure; Shipments of metal castings in the U.S. are predicted to decline to 13.8 million tons in '01, the lowest since 1993. However, following the '01 downturn is an anticipated expansion through 2010, at which time total casting shipment levels could be 16.59 million. This bullish Bullish Word used to describe an investor's attitude. Bullish refers to an optimistic outlook, while bearish means a pessimistic outlook. bullish outlook is supported by the economy-driving baby boomer baby boomer also ba·by-boom·er n. A member of a baby-boom generation. Noun 1. baby boomer - a member of the baby boom generation in the 1950s; "they expanded the schools for a generation of baby boomers" boomer generation that will enter its peak earning/spending years over the next 5 years. Casting demand in specific sectors, however, will also be dictated by technological factors. During this 10-year picture, metal castings are forecast to grow 1.4% annually, and exceed 16 million tons in 2006. Sales of castings from U.S. casting producers are forecast to gain $10 billion and reach $40 million annually in 5 years. Following is the short and long-term forecast for end use segments within the major cast metals groups. (Note: All long-term rates are looking 10 years out and illustrate the average per year increases/decreases forecast for 2010 as compared to the 2000 base year for the respective market). FERROUS ferrous (fĕr`əs), iron in the +2 valence state. Containing or having to do with iron. The difference between ferrous and ferric is the number of valence electrons they contain (ferrous contains two and ferric contains three), which Gray Iron Three years after reaching a modern era high in '98 at 6 million tons, gray iron shipments are expected to fall 4.9% this year to 5.29 million tons. Eight individual market sectors that consume gray iron castings are forecast to decline in the long term, fostering a decline in gray iron shipments of 0.2% per year. Light Vehicles--The use of gray iron castings in light vehicles in the U.S. reached 2 million tons for the last time last year, as gray iron consumption is forecast to decline at an annual rate of 3% over the next 10 years. Consumption of gray iron in light vehicles is forecast to decline 11% to 1.464 million tons in '01 (despite a predicted drop of only 6% in light vehicle production) and continue to decline as conversion to light metals (Chem.) the metallic elements of the alkali and alkaline earth groups, as sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.; also, sometimes, the metals of the earths, as aluminium. See also: Metal accelerates under corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) regulations. Gray iron casting weight a weight that turns a balance when exactly poised. - B. Trumbull. See also: Casting per vehicle is forecast to drop 100 lb to a low of 180 lb by '07. Though brake parts are holding firm as a future application of gray iron, other parts are expected to be converted to light metals. Medium-to-Heavy Truck--Medium-to-heavy trucks and trailer production dropped 15% in '00 and is expected to decline another 9% in '01 to 206,000 tons. Casting consumption is forecast to increase to 257,000 tons in '05 before decreasing again to nearly 200,000 tons in '10. The major application continues to be brake rotors and drums. Municipal Castings--Imports (primarily from India, China and Canada) continue to meet 27% of demand. Based on the anticipated 1% decline of housing starts in '01, a slight decline in casting demand is forecast. Ductile iron Ductile iron, also called ductile cast iron or nodular cast iron, is a type of cast iron invented in 1943 by Keith Millis[1]. While most varieties of cast iron are brittle, ductile iron is much more ductile, as the name implies. is expected to gain additional applications in specific municipalities. Soil Pipe--An annual decline of 4% is forecast for gray iron soil pipe shipments, with a 5% decrease expected this year, as PVC PVC: see polyvinyl chloride. PVC in full polyvinyl chloride Synthetic resin, an organic polymer made by treating vinyl chloride monomers with a peroxide. pipe continues to replace iron. Ingot ingot Mass of metal cast into a size and shape such as a bar, plate, or sheet convenient to store, transport, and work into a semifinished or finished product. The term also refers to a mold in which metal is so cast. Molds--Gray iron ingot mold a box or mold in which ingots are cast. See also: Ingot production is forecast to drop to 50,000 tons in the U.S. in '01. A continued decline to 36,000 tons is forecast as ingot mold production drops at an annual rate of 6%. Imports from Brazil continue to increase. Sanitary sanitary /san·i·tary/ (san´i-tar?e) promoting or pertaining to health. san·i·tar·y adj. 1. Of or relating to health. 2. & Radiator--Lowerhousing starts and conversions to plastic are expected to lower consumption of gray iron by 3% in '01. A 4.3% long-term annual rate of decline is forecast. Valves & Fittings--With 35% of the valve/fitting demand expected to be imported in '01, domestic shipments are expected to fall 2% to 275,000 tons. While the value of valves and fittings will decline for the sixth consecutive year, shipment growth to 310,000 tons is forecast for the long term, in part because of overall export growth, greater valve demand from energy and commercial construction industries, and foreign growth in oil production and power and sanitation sanitation: see plumbing; sanitary science. projects. Internal Combustion combustion, rapid chemical reaction of two or more substances with a characteristic liberation of heat and light; it is commonly called burning. The burning of a fuel (e.g., wood, coal, oil, or natural gas) in air is a familiar example of combustion. Engines--The reduction of truck production last year lowered engine demand and is expected to continue in '01. After a 10% decline in '00 to 515,000 tons, U.S. casting shipments are expected to decline to 494,000 tons in '01 based on the down-turn in truck and off-road equipment production. Imports of 118,000 tons of engine castings (representing 20% of this sector's demand) are expected in '01 because of the lack of U.S. supply, and are expected to continue to rise. Future production of blocks and heads from Mexico, Brazil and Germany is expected to increase. In the long term, gray iron engine shipments are forecast to increase at an annual rate of 2.1%, to more than 600,000 tons in '10. Farm Machinery & Equipment--The consumption of gray iron castings in farm equipment is expected to rise slightly this year after 2 successive decline years. Exclusive of engine castings, gray iron is forecast to rise 3% per year from last year's low to 350,000 tons in '10. Construction Machinery & Equipment--Rising interest rates are expected to cool the hot construction industry picture after 6 years of growth. Though housing starts are expected to drop and imports are to continue at a high rate of 12%, gray iron castings are expected only to increase slightly in '01, as public works public works pl.n. Construction projects, such as highways or dams, financed by public funds and constructed by a government for the benefit or use of the general public. Noun 1. and commercial equipment increase and exports of equipment remain high. Mining & Oil Field Equipment--Gray iron shipments are expected to increase slightly in oil field and mining equipment as high prices keep these casting market sectors healthy. A 1% long-term annual growth rate is expected. Machine Tools--Shipments of gray iron to the machine tool industry declined by 30% from the '97 high to a low in '00. A slight rebound should take place in '01 and gray iron shipments should increase 4%. Casting use should begin to grow back to normal 135,000-ton levels and grow at a 4% long-term rate. Special Industry Machinery--The use of gray iron in special industry machinery has declined 3% in the last 2 years but is expected to rise slightly in '01 and continue to grow at an annual long-term rate of 1.5%. Pumps & Compressors--Shipments of gray iron declined by 3% last year and are expected to continue to decline by 2% in '01. A long-term growth rate of 1.8% is anticipated. Refrigeration refrigeration, process for drawing heat from substances to lower their temperature, often for purposes of preservation. Refrigeration in its modern, portable form also depends on insulating materials that are thin yet effective. & Air Conditioning--A continued decline in gray iron use in refrigeration and air conditioning air conditioning, mechanical process for controlling the humidity, temperature, cleanliness, and circulation of air in buildings and rooms. Indoor air is conditioned and regulated to maintain the temperature-humidity ratio that is most comfortable and healthful. units is forecast in the short-term (1.9%), while long-term projections call for an annual growth rate of 2%. Electric Motor--Imports and the conversion to aluminum continues to increase, reducing shipments by about 3% this year. A long-term loss Long-term loss A loss on the sale of a capital asset held less than 12 months that can be used to offset a capital gain. of 3.1% per year is forecast. Household Appliances--The conversion of gray iron castings to light metals and plastic parts continues and a 9% decrease is expected this year, with a long-term decline of 7% per year. Ductile Iron Shipments of ductile iron are forecast to decline 4% this year to 4.09 million tons. Over the next 10 years, however, U.S. ductile iron casting shipments are forecast to increase to 5.28 million tons, an annual growth rate of 2.2%. Total sales are forecast to grow to $8 billion in '10, exceeding gray iron in that year by $1.2 billion. Pressure Pipe--Shipments of ductile iron pipe are forecast to decline 3% in '01 to 1.8 million tons, based on a decrease in housing starts as well as lower exports. The long-term annual growth rate of 2.6% should bring the shipments to 2.4 million tons in 10. Motor Vehicles--Consumption of ductile iron castings in light vehicles is forecast to drop 6% this year to 1.06 million tons based on a reduction of light vehicle production and losses in some applications to aluminum and forgings. In the long term, shipments are forecast to grow 0.4% per year to 1.2 million tons. Consumption of ductile iron in medium-to-heavy trucks and trailers is expected to decline 9% in '01 to 210,000 tons, as truck production declines for the second year from the '99 peak. A long-term annual growth rate of 2.4% is expected to bring shipments to 300,000 tons in '09 and '10. Valves & Fittings--Ductile iron valves are expected to decline again for the third straight year to 220,000 tons. The long-term annual growth rate projection is 3%, bringing casting shipments to 300,000 tons per year by 2007. Ductile iron is forecast to begin to replace malleable iron (Metal.) iron sufficiently pure or soft to be capable of extension under the hammer; also, specif., a kind of iron produced by removing a portion of the carbon or other impurities from cast iron, rendering it less brittle, and to some extent malleable. in many pipefitting applications in the next 5 years. Special Industry Machinery--In '01, ductile iron shipments are expected to drop for the third consecutive year to below 100,000 tons. This forecast is based on the expected decline in the manufacture of printing, paper, plastic and textile machinery in the U.S. The long-term forecast for these industries calls for a 3.6% annual growth to 140,000 tons by '08. Farm Machinery & Equipment--Ductile iron's use in farm equipment is expected to rebound after 2 years of losses with a 3% increase in shipments in '01. A long-term growth of 4.5% is forecast because of the low shipment base year of '00. Construction Machinery & Equipment--Despite the economic downturn in '01, construction machinery and equipment production are expected to increase because of expected export increases. Ductile iron shipments in this market sector are expected to rise 3% to 189,000 tons in '01. The long-term annual growth is forecast at 3%. Power Transmission Equipment--Shipments in '01 should equal last year, which remains 4% lower than '99. The long-term, l0-yeargrowth rate for ductile iron shipments for gears, shafts and other power transmission equipment is 3% per year. Oil Field Machinery--High oil prices have propelled oil field machinery production in '00 and should continue again in '01. Ductile iron shipments rose 10% last year and are expected to rise 6% in 2001. A long-term annual growth rate of 2% is forecast to bring the shipment tonnage TONNAGE, mar. law. The capacity of a ship or vessel. 2. The act of congress of March 2, 1799, s. 64, 1 Story's L. U. S. 630, directs that to ascertain the tonnage of any ship or vessel, the surveyor, &c. to 65,000 in 2010. Malleable malleable /mal·le·a·ble/ (mal´e-ah-b'l) susceptible of being beaten out into a thin plate. mal·le·a·ble adj. 1. Capable of being shaped or formed, as by hammering or pressure. lion After an 18% drop in '00, malleable iron casting production is estimated to drop another 27% to 149,000 tons in '01 as the expected conversion of some automotive and fitting applications begins to take place. Pipe Fittings--Imports from China and Thailand continue to dominate the malleable iron fitting business. Based on the conversion of some applications to ductile iron, shipments are expected to drop to 40,000 tons with imports at 17,000 tons. A long-term decline is forecast to 34,000 tons. Motor Vehicle--With General Motors' expected conversion of much of its capacity to ductile iron, shipments are expected to drop to 80,000 tons in light vehicles in '01 and continue to decrease at a 22% annual rate to 10,000 tons by 2010. Compacted Graphite graphite (grăf`īt), an allotropic form of carbon, known also as plumbago and black lead. It is dark gray or black, crystalline (often in the form of slippery scales), greasy, and soft, with a metallic luster. Iron After growing nearly 100% in '99, compacted graphite iron shipments grew another 6% to 68,000 tons in '00. While remaining virtually at the same level in '01, compacted graphite iron castings are projected to grow to 266,000 tons over the next 10 years. Steel Steel casting Steel casting is a manufacturing process in which molten metal is poured into a mold, allowed to solidify within the mold, and then the mold is broken and the solid piece is taken out. shipments are expected to decline 5% this year to 1.32 million tons. Over the next 10 years, a 0.8% annual growth rate is expected. Carbon & Low-Alloy Steels--Shipments of carbon and low-alloy steel castings are forecast to fall 6% in '01 to 1.14 million tons. A long-term growth rate of 0.5% is forecast to reach 1.28 million tons in '10. Railroad--Railroad freight car shipments peaked in '98 and '99, each delivering more than 70,000 units. A drop to roughly 58,000 units occurred last year, with a further decline to 52,000 cars expected in '01. Carbon and low-alloy steel casting consumption in freight cars and locomotives This is a list of locomotives (classes, or individual locomotives) that currently have articles in Wikipedia.
Mining Machinery--Mining machinery production rebounded slightly last year and is expected to rise again this year. Carbon and low-alloy steel castings are expected to increase to 86,000 tons, with total steel casting shipments rising to 120,000 tons in '01. A long-term annual growth rate of 2.2% would raise steel casting consumption in mining machinery to 146,000 tons in '10, as carbon and low-alloy steel castings grow to 100,000 tons. Construction Machinery--Shipments of construction machinery have risen every year since '92, but are expected to slow slightly this year as construction activity and housing starts decline. Carbon and low-alloy steel castings are expected to decline 2% this year to 172,000 tons but should see a long-term annual growth rate of 1.3%. Total steel castings are expected to grow from last year's 195,000 tons to 224,000 tons, a 1.4% per year growth rate. Valves--Shipments of carbon and low-alloy steel valve castings are expected to drop to a low of 65,000 tons in '01. Long-term growth of 2.3% per year is forecast to increase shipments over 90,000 tons in '09 and '10. Trucks--Carbon and low-alloy steel shipments for commercial and military truck applications had a good year in '99 but dropped off last year to 90,000 tons and are expected to contract another 12% in '01. Along-term decline of 4% per year is forecast, based on increased imports and some conversion to ductile iron and ADI. Corrosion-Resistant Steels--Shipment of corrosion-resistant steel castings are forecast to grow from last year's 77,000 tons to 105,000 tons, an annual growth rate of 3.2%.A3% decline to 75,000 tons is forecast for '01. The major growth areas are valves and pumps, which comprise 55% of the total. Heat Resistant Steels--A 12% drop is forecast for heat-resistant steel castings this year. Long-term, heat-resistant steel casting shipments are forecast to grow 2.2% per year from last year's to 41,000 tons in '10. Manganese manganese (măng`gənēs, măn`–) [Lat.,=magnet], metallic chemical element; symbol Mn; at. no. 25; at. wt. 54.938; m.p. about 1,244°C;; b.p. about 1,962°C;; sp. gr. 7.2 to 7. , Wear-Resistant & Other Steel Castings--The consumption of manganese steel Man`ga`nese´ steel 1. Cast steel containing a considerable percentage (10-14) of manganese, which makes it very hard and tough and highly resistant to wear. See Alloy steel, above. Noun 1. and martensitic wear-resistant steels in mining machinery is forecast at 20,000 and 12,000 tons, respectively. Manganese steels are forecast to grow 2.9% per year from 36,000 tons to 49,000 tons. Wear-and abrasion-resistant steels are expected to grow 1.6% per year from 34,000 tons to 40,000 tons. NONFERROUS non·fer·rous adj. 1. Not composed of or containing iron. 2. Of or relating to metals other than iron. nonferrous Adjective 1. Aluminum Shipments of aluminum castings are forecast to drop 1% from last year's 2.02 million tons to 2 million tons in '01. Over the next 10 years, however, aluminum casting shipment growth is expected to see an annual growth rate of 3.8%. Aluminum Die Castings--Aluminum die castings die casting Forming metal objects by injecting molten metal under pressure into dies or molds. An early and important use of the technique was in the Linotype machine (1884), but the mass-production automobile assembly line gave die casting its real impetus. are forecast to drop 1% to 1.18 million tons this year. Over the next 10 years, however, a 2.6% long- term growth rate is expected, reaching 1.55 million tons by '10. Aluminum Permanent Mold mold, name for certain multicellular organisms of the various classes of the kingdom Fungi, characteristically having bodies composed of a cottony mycelium. The colors of molds are caused by the spores, which are borne on the mycelium. & Sand Castings--Shipments are expected to decline only slightly in '01 to 820,000 tons. Aluminum castings produced in permanent molds and sand (low pressure and lost foam are included in this group), are forecast to grow 5.2% per year to 1.37 million tons in 2010. Motor Vehicles--While aluminum casting shipments are expected to drop 2% in '01 from last year's 1.21 million tons, conversion of blocks, heads and other castings are scheduled to accelerate in '02 and drive shipments to new peaks in succeeding years. An annual casting shipment growth rate of 4.6% is expected to reach 1.89 million tons by '10, when aluminum casting weight per vehicle is projected to reach 270 lb, a 70-lb gain over current levels. Diecasting's application in this segment will grow 3% annually to reach 930,000 tons in '10. Internal Combustion Engines--Aluminum castings in non-automotive engines are forecast to fall 2% from last year's 104,000 tons before increasing at a rate of 3.5% to 146,000 tons in '10. This growth compares with the expected annual growth of the small gasoline engine gasoline engine: see internal-combustion engine. gasoline engine Most widely used form of internal-combustion engine, found in most automobiles and many other vehicles. market, which includes both marine and lawn/garden engines. Aluminum is also growing in diesel engine applications, including gear and other housings. Refrigeration & Air Conditioning--Shipments of aluminum in refrigeration and AC units dropped in the last half of '00 and are expected to remain down slightly this year. A long-term gain Long-term gain A profit on the sale of a capital assets held longer than 12 months, and eligible for long-term capital gains tax treatment. of 3.1% per year is forecast based on the continued growth in compressor compressor, machine that decreases the volume of air or other gas by the application of pressure. Compressor types range from the simple hand pump and the piston-equipped compressor used to inflate tires to machines that use a rotating, bladed element to achieve bodies. Aerospace--Civil aircraft sales are expected to rebound this year and improve the total aerospace market for aluminum castings. Aluminum castings are expected to grow this year to 71,000 tons and continue to grow at a 3% per year rate to 91,000 tons in '10. Instruments--In this fast-growing market sector, aluminum casting shipments are forecast to grow to 45,000 tons this year and continue to grow at an annual rate of 3.5% to 62,000 tons over the next 10 years. Brass, Bronze & Copper Alloy alloy (ăl`oi, əloi`) [O. Fr.,=combine], substance with metallic properties that consists of a metal fused with one or more metals or nonmetals. Shipments of copper-base castings are expected to drop 5% this year but increase in the long term at an annual rate of 0.9% to 343,000 tons. However, this growth depends primarily on the price of copper, which can dictate TO DICTATE. To pronounce word for word what is destined to be at the same time written by another. Merlin Rep. mot Suggestion, p. 5 00; Toull. Dr. Civ. Fr. liv. 3, t. 2, c. 5, n. 410. the use of brass and bronze castings in plumbing plumbing, piping systems inside buildings for water supply and sewage. The Romans had a highly developed plumbing system; water was brought to Rome by aqueducts and distributed to homes in lead pipes—hence the name plumbing from the Latin word plumbum fixtures/fittings and in industrial valves. Plumbing & Sanitary Fixtures/Fittings--After an 8.3% drop this year, the use of copper alloy castings in plumbing fixtures and fittings is expected to contract at an annual rate of 1.8%. A 2% loss of market per year is expected due to substitution of plastic and wrought fittings for castings. Imports will also retard the growth, despite an expected increase of 3% per year in construction activity. Industrial Valves & Fittings--Imports of nearly 15% continue to affect this market segment. Despite losses to imports and substitution of other corrosion-resistant metals that will reduce casting demand by 3.8% this year, a growth rate of 0.9% per year is forecast to bring shipments to 110,000 tons by '10. Zinc Die Castings Shipments of zinc die castings, including lead-base alloy die castings, continue to drop at a rate of 0.9% falling to 314,000 tons over the next 10 years. A 14% decline in zinc die casting shipments to 296,000 tons this year is expected as motor vehicle production declines. Magnesium magnesium (măgnē`zēəm, –zhəm), metallic chemical element; symbol Mg; at. no. 12; at. wt. 24.305; m.p. about 648.8°C;; b.p. about 1,090°C;; sp. gr. 1.738 at 20°C;; valence +2. Magnesium casting shipments have doubled since '96, and a 9.4% increase is expected this year. Spurred by CAFE regulations, magnesium castings are forecast to grow 13.5% per year to reach 263,000 tons by '10. Automotive diecasting applications in light vehicles lead the growth--from 48,000 tons to 220,000 tons in the next 10 years. Automotive applications will be led by structural parts (forecast to increase to 18 lb per vehicle), but also include transmission cases, pistons Pistons can mean:
fuel system - equipment in a motor vehicle or aircraft that delivers fuel to the engine . Other Nonferrous This group includes metals such as nickel nickel, metallic chemical element; symbol Ni; at. no. 28; at. wt. 58.69; m.p. about 1,453°C;; b.p. about 2,732°C;; sp. gr. 8.902 at 25°C;; valence 0, +1, +2, +3, or +4. , cobalt-base and other nonferrous castings not already discussed. The total group of alloys This is a list of alloys for which an article exists in Wikipedia (or is proposed but not yet written). They are grouped by base metal, in order of increasing atomic number. Within these headings they are in no particular order. is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.8% over the next 10 years, with 10-year growth rates Growth Rates The compounded annualized rate of growth of a company's revenues, earnings, dividends, or other figures. Notes: Remember, historically high growth rates don't always mean a high rate of growth looking into the future. in aerospace (5.8%-non-investment cast superalloys), pumps (4.1%--nickel-base) and valves (3.5%--primarily Monel and Hastelloy), as well as a 9.6% growth rate for titanium titanium (tītā`nēəm, tĭ–) [from Titan], metallic chemical element; symbol Ti; at. no. 22; at. wt. 47.88; m.p. 1,675°C;; b.p. 3,260°C;; sp. gr. 4.54 at 20°C;; valence +2, +3, or +4. for aircraft and automotive applications. Investment Castings investment casting Precision casting for forming metal shapes with minutely precise details. Casting bronze or precious metals typically involves several steps, including forming a mold around the sculptured form; detaching the mold (in two or more sections); coating its After growing slightly in '00 to 156,000 tons, a 4% decline is expected this year. Over the next 10 years, investment castings are forecast to grow at an annual rate of 3.6% to 222,000 tons. Sales of investment castings dropped as much as 12% in the commercial valve sector in '99, and more in the aircraft sector as a deluge Deluge (dĕl`y  j), in the Bible, the overwhelming flood that covered the earth and destroyed every living thing except the family of Noah and the creatures in his ark. of imports hit the U.S. A rebound is not expected until 2002.
The major commercial markets continue to be pumps and valves for petrochemical petrochemical, any one of a large group of chemicals derived from a component of petroleum or natural gas. The cracking processes for manufacturing gasoline produce vast quantities of gaseous hydrocarbons. and food product and other corrosive corrosive /cor·ro·sive/ (kor-o´siv) producing gradual destruction, as of a metal by electrochemical reaction or of the tissues by the action of a strong acid or alkali; an agent that so acts. applications. Investment cast blades and vanes for engines make up about 10% of the total sales value of the industry and are expected to grow to an annual value of $500 million. This article was adapted from a larger, mare mare Any flat, low, dark plain on the Moon. Maria are huge impact basins containing lava flows marked by ridges, depressions (graben), and faults; though mare means “sea” in Latin, they lack water. in depth annual report published by AFS A distributed file system for large, widely dispersed Unix and Windows networks from Transarc Corporation, now part of IBM. It is noted for its ease of administration and expandability and stems from Carnegie-Mellon's Andrew File System. AFS - Andrew File System that also includes detail on casting supply and utilization, global casting production, imports/exports, historical trends and ferrous steel scrap and pig iron pig iron: see iron. pig iron Crude iron obtained directly from the blast furnace and cast in molds (see cast iron). The crude ingots, called pigs, are then remelted along with scrap and alloying elements and recast into molds to produce supply, etc. The report, which is offered for half-price prior to February 1, is available from AFS Publications at 800/537-4237.
Forecast
2000 Change 2001 Change
Shipments from '99 Shipments from '00
Gray Iron 5,567,000 -6% 5,294,000 -5%
Ductile Iron 4,252,000 -3% 4,099,000 -4%
Malleable Iron 204,000 -18% 149,000 -27%
Compacted Graphite Iron 68,000 +6% 68,000 -
Steel 1,395,000 -8% 1,320,000 -5%
Aluminum 2,029,000 - 2,000,000 -1%
Copper-Base 315,000 -3% 300,000 -5%
Zinc 345,000 -6% 296,000 -14%
Magnesium 74,000 +9% 81,000 +9%
Other Nonferrous 47,000 -2% 46,000 -2%
Investment Casting 156,000 +1% 149,000 -4%
TOTAL 14,452,000 -5% 13,802,000 -4%
Gray Iron--Annual
Growth Rates (2000-2010)
Growth Markets AGR Declining Markets AGR
Machine Tool +4% [*] Household Appliance -7%
Farm Machinery +3% [*] Ingot Molds -6%
Internal Combustion Engines +2.1% Sanitary & Radiator -4.3%
Refrigeration/AC +2% Soil Pipe -4%
Pump/Compressor +1.8% Electric Motor -3.1%
Construction Machinery +1.8% Light Vehicles -3%
Municipal +1.8% Roll Machinery -1.8%
Special Industry Machinery +1.5% Medium/Heavy Truck -0.5%
(*.)High annual growth is forecast due to low base year of 2000.
Ductile Iron--Annual
Growth Rates (2000-2010)
Industry Annual
Growth Rate
Farm Machinery +4.5%
Special Industry Machinery +3.6%
Valves & Fittings +3.0%
Internal Combustion Engine +3.0%
Construction Machinery +3.0%
Pump/Compressor +3.0%
Pipe +2.6%
Medium/Heavy Truck +2.4%
Light Vehicle +0.4%
Steel Casting Trends (Thousands of Tons)
Type of Steel 2000 2001 2010
Carbon & Low Alloy 1215 1148 1282
Railroad 650 600 670
Other C&LA 565 548 612
Corrosion Resistant 77 75 105
Heat Resistant 33 29 41
Manganese 36 34 49
Other Steel [*] 34 34 40
Total Steel 1395 1320 1517
(*.)The "other steel" category is comprised
of mostly martensitic wear-resistant steels.
Aluminum Castings as a Percent of Total
Light Vehicles Produced in the U.S.
Part 2000 2003 2006
Engine Block 30 50 62
Cylinder Head 77 95 96
Intake Manifold 65 44 34
Transmission Case 95 95 94
Wheels 60 70 75
Brake & Suspension Parts 2 10 20
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