The industry shipped more than 14.2 million tons of
castings in 1997. Iron castings (including gray, ductile, and malleable) made up 72% of
that total by weight. Aluminum represented another 13%, with steel, copper alloys, and
other nonferrous making up 9%, 2%, and 3%, respectively. About 35% of castings were used
in automotive and truck applications, with another 15% used for pipes and fittings. Other
major markets included construction, mining, and oil field equipment (6%); internal
combustion engines (5%); railroads (5%); and valves (5%). [AFS 2000]
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