Casting Alloy Density and Pour Temperature Reference
Estimators and foundry engineers constantly need the density of an alloy to turn a model volume into a weight, and a pour temperature range to sanity check a furnace plan. This table puts both in one searchable place, with weight per cubic inch calculated for you.
| Alloy | Family | Typical specification | Density (g/cc) | Weight per cubic inch (lb/in3) | Approx. liquidus | Typical pour temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gray iron Class 30 | Cast iron | ASTM A48 | 7.15 | 0.2583 | about 2150 to 2200 F | 2500 to 2700 F |
Gray iron Class 40 | Cast iron | ASTM A48 | 7.2 | 0.2601 | about 2100 to 2150 F | 2500 to 2700 F |
Ductile iron 65-45-12 | Cast iron | ASTM A536 | 7.1 | 0.2565 | about 2100 to 2150 F | 2450 to 2650 F |
Ductile iron 80-55-06 | Cast iron | ASTM A536 | 7.1 | 0.2565 | about 2100 to 2150 F | 2450 to 2650 F |
Carbon steel WCB | Cast steel | ASTM A216 | 7.85 | 0.2836 | about 2750 F | 2850 to 2950 F |
Low alloy steel 80-50 | Cast steel | ASTM A148 | 7.85 | 0.2836 | about 2740 F | 2850 to 2950 F |
Stainless CF8 (cast 304) | Cast steel | ASTM A351 | 7.8 | 0.2818 | about 2640 F | 2800 to 2950 F |
Stainless CF8M (cast 316) | Cast steel | ASTM A351 | 8 | 0.289 | about 2600 to 2650 F | 2800 to 2950 F |
Inconel 718 (cast) | Nickel alloy | AMS 5383 | 8.2 | 0.2962 | about 2430 F | vacuum investment, 2650 to 2850 F |
Aluminum A356 | Aluminum | ASTM B108, AMS 4218 | 2.68 | 0.0968 | about 1135 F | 1290 to 1360 F |
Aluminum 319 | Aluminum | ASTM B108 | 2.79 | 0.1008 | about 1120 F | 1290 to 1380 F |
Aluminum 380 (die cast) | Aluminum | ASTM B85 | 2.71 | 0.0979 | about 1100 F | 1200 to 1300 F |
Magnesium AZ91D | Magnesium | ASTM B94 | 1.81 | 0.0654 | about 1100 F | 1290 to 1400 F |
Zinc Zamak 3 | Zinc | ASTM B86 | 6.6 | 0.2384 | about 725 F | 780 to 840 F |
Zinc Zamak 5 | Zinc | ASTM B86 | 6.6 | 0.2384 | about 727 F | 780 to 840 F |
Zinc ZA-8 | Zinc | ASTM B791 | 6.3 | 0.2276 | about 759 F | 790 to 850 F |
Leaded red brass C83600 | Copper alloy | ASTM B584 | 8.8 | 0.3179 | about 1830 F | 2050 to 2250 F |
Tin bronze C93200 | Copper alloy | ASTM B584 | 8.8 | 0.3179 | about 1830 F | 2050 to 2200 F |
Aluminum bronze C95400 | Copper alloy | ASTM B148 | 7.45 | 0.2691 | about 1900 F | 2100 to 2250 F |
Yellow brass C85400 | Copper alloy | ASTM B584 | 8.4 | 0.3035 | about 1650 F | 1950 to 2100 F |
Values are typical and rounded for estimating and planning. Density varies with composition and porosity, and liquidus shifts with chemistry and carbon equivalent. Always follow your foundry procedure and the governing specification for pour temperature. Multiply lb per cubic inch by part volume in cubic inches to estimate casting weight.
Tie alloy data to ERP lot records
Optional review of how alloy properties and heat chemistry could be linked to items and lots on your own servers.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use the table
Search by alloy, family or specification. Read density in grams per cubic centimeter and the calculated pounds per cubic inch. Multiply the pounds per cubic inch by the casting volume in cubic inches from your CAD model to get weight. For metric parts, multiply density in grams per cubic centimeter by volume in cubic centimeters to get grams. Use the liquidus and pour columns as a quick check against furnace and ladle practice. Export the table to Excel to drop into a quoting sheet.
How the numbers behave
Pour temperature is always above the liquidus, because metal cools in the ladle and must still fill thin sections. The superheat is typically a few hundred degrees for iron and steel, and smaller for aluminum and zinc. Thin sections, investment molds and large castings each push the target in different directions. Density in castings also varies a little with microporosity, so for tight weight limits a measured sample weight is better than a table value. Alloys within the same family often have almost identical density.
Common mistakes
The most common error is using wrought density for a casting alloy, or using steel density for stainless grades with a heavier chemistry. Another is quoting pour temperature as a single number when it depends on section thickness and mold. Do not use liquidus as the furnace set point. If your alloy is not listed, use your supplier data sheet or the governing specification, not an approximate guess, especially for certified work where chemistry controls everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I estimate casting weight from a CAD model?
Take the solid volume from the CAD model and multiply by the alloy density. Use pounds per cubic inch with volume in cubic inches, or grams per cubic centimeter with volume in cubic centimeters. Add machining stock if the model is the finished part.
Is liquidus the same as pour temperature?
No. Liquidus is the temperature above which the alloy is fully liquid. Pour temperature is higher so that the metal stays fluid while it fills the mold. Both depend on chemistry and section size.
Why do ductile and gray iron have similar density?
Both are iron with carbon and silicon, and graphite occupies space in both. The shape of graphite differs, flakes versus nodules, which changes strength and ductility far more than it changes density.
Are these values good enough for certified work?
They are fine for estimating and planning. For certified or safety critical work, rely on the governing specification and your foundry procedure, and verify weight and chemistry with measured data.
If you want alloy properties and heat chemistry tied to your ERP item and lot records, we can build that on your own servers.
Related Tools
Casting Cost Per Piece and Quote Price Estimator
Build a casting quote from as-cast weight, casting yield, melt loss, metal and process cost, scrap rate and pattern amortization, with a yield sensitivity sweep.
MES & Shop FloorInduction Furnace Melt Energy Cost Per Ton Calculator
Calculate kWh per ton, energy cost per ton, melt loss cost and refractory for an induction heat, with a sweep on furnace efficiency.
Discrete ManufacturingCast Iron and Steel Casting Grades ASTM Reference
Look up ASTM A48, A536, A27, A216, A351, A148 and A897 casting grades with minimum tensile and yield values in ksi and MPa.
Industry TemplatesCasting Shrinkage Allowance Reference Table
Look up typical linear shrinkage allowances by alloy for sand casting patterns, with conversions to inches per foot and millimetres per metre.
More Engineering & PLM tools
See all- Casting Pattern Allowance Worksheet
- SAP Super BOM Design Worksheet
- SAP Engineering Change Number Checklist
- SAP Document Info Record Template
- SAP Change Master and Revision Level Log
- SAP Engineering Change Request (ECR) Template
- SAP BOM Usage and Item Category Reference
- SAP Engineering Change Obsolescence Exposure Calculator
- SAP Engineering Change Affected Materials Impact Worksheet
Keep exploring
Free tools
- Foundry Pour and Mold Log WorksheetTrack every mold poured by heat, pattern, temperature, time and weights, and see casting yield per mold and in total.
- Aluminum Alloy Reference (Series, Temper, Density)Quick lookup of common wrought and cast aluminum alloys with series, tempers, density, weldability and typical applications.
- Foundry Heat and Pour Log TemplateFill in a one-page heat record covering alloy, furnace, temperatures, chemistry checks, treatment, molds poured and approvals, then export it.
Guides
- Casting Quote Estimating for FoundriesHow foundries estimate casting quotes: pour weight, yield, melt loss, core and finishing cost, tooling amortization, and where AI speeds up the first draft.
- AI for Casting RFQ and Drawing ReviewHow a private AI reads casting RFQ packages, prints and specs, flags alloy, NDT and tolerance risks, and drafts questions for the customer before you quote.
- ERP for Foundries: Requirements That Actually MatterWhat a foundry ERP needs: heat and lot traceability, alloy and melt costing, pattern tracking, cleaning room routing, scrap by defect, and honest fit questions.
Manufacturing hubs
- NADCA and the die casting ecosystem: standards, tooling and ERP realitiesNorth American Die Casting Association (NADCA): die casting processes, product specification standards, and the ERP, tooling and private AI issues die casters face.
- American Foundry Society (AFS) and the metalcasting ecosystem: standards, ERP and data realitiesAmerican Foundry Society (AFS) and the metalcasting world: foundry processes, standards, and the ERP, costing, quality and private AI issues foundries face.