Written by:
Joyce Brink
Cast iron is an alloy of iron, carbon (2.5%-6.67%), manganese and silicon, cast iron can be cast into all kinds of shapes, including garden vases.
The liquid metal is poured into a mold that is formed with clay-bound or chemically bound molding sand. Clay-bound or green sand is used for casting weights up to ±300 kg. Chemically bound molding sand is used for larger casting weights. For very large and usually one-off castings it is even possible to use a "brickwork" in a large hole in the ground into which the liquid material is then poured.
Garden vases are normally cast in metal or sand-bound casting molds. These molds usually consist of two or more metal mold halves. This process is mainly carried out by hand. The liquid cast iron is poured into the mold cavity with a ladle.
After cooling, the casting is removed from the mold and, if necessary, post-processed.
The current garden vases consist of 2 parts, namely the bowl and the foot, which are cast separately and later assembled.
More information on: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gietijzer
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