Calculate molten metal volume from mass and density, estimate the furnace charge required after melting losses, and calculate casting shrinkage allowance.
Enter the finished or required metal mass and expected melting/process loss. The calculator estimates how much metal should be charged initially.
How do I calculate molten metal volume? Divide metal mass by molten density. The result is volume; for example, kilograms divided by kg/m³ gives cubic meters.
How much metal should I put in the furnace? Start with the required usable mass and adjust for expected process loss. If loss is L%, charge ≈ required mass ÷ (1 − L/100).
What causes melting losses? Oxidation, dross formation, slag, spillage, furnace residues and other handling or process losses can reduce recoverable metal.
Is solid density accurate for molten metal? Not necessarily. Density changes with temperature and phase, so an alloy-specific molten density is preferable when available.
What is casting shrinkage allowance? It is an intentional dimensional addition to compensate for contraction as metal solidifies and cools.
Can I use this for every metal? The formulas are general, but the material properties are not. Use reliable alloy-specific density and process data for engineering decisions.
Does this calculate melting temperature? No. Melting temperature and pouring temperature require alloy and process-specific information and are outside this calculator's purpose.