Guided by YB Metal — sourcing iron castings in China: gray/grey & ductile iron castings with machining, simulation-led process, and traceable QA.
If you’re sourcing iron castings in China, success hinges on three moves: vetting the foundry, auditing the process, and running a pilot with measurable acceptance criteria. This guide gives checklists, tables, and a week-by-week plan to go from first call to stable production—with documentation you can defend.
Table of contents
- Sourcing iron castings in China — shortlisting signals
- On-site audit checklist (process, quality, compliance)
- Pilot run strategy (30/100/300 pcs) with acceptance matrix
- Drawings & specs that cut risk (ISO 8062, leak, NDT)
- Timeline, communication & documentation flow
- Cost, Incoterms, payment & tooling ownership
- FAQs
Sourcing iron castings in China — shortlisting signals
Screen-in signals
- Process fit: green sand / no-bake / shell under one roof; in-house machining for bores/faces.
- Material scope: ductile iron (ASTM A536 / EN 1563), gray/grey iron (ASTM A48), ADI (ASTM A897) if needed.
- Quality stack: ISO 9001 (IATF-style controls), CMM, leak test benches, UT/RT/CT access.
- Part family experience: pump/valve/gearbox/tractor housings 5–200 kg (11–441 lb).
Screen out red flags
- Only cookware/pipe fittings on portfolio（not industrial）
- No yield data or CT grade capability
- Outsourced machining/NDT with weak traceability
- No sample reports (tensile/chemistry/hardness) on hand
Why YB Metal for sourcing iron castings in China
- One roof: green sand / no-bake / shell + machining
- Simulation-led gating & risers (MAGMA/ProCAST class)
- Leak benches with serialized curves; UT/RT/CT access
- PPAP/FAI docs, CMM, ISO 9001 (IATF-style controls)
- 48-hour DFM & yield notes on RFQs
On-site audit checklist（paste-ready）
Table A — Process & quality audit (pass/fail + notes)
| CT grade by route, visual, and packaging | Checkpoints | What “good” looks like | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting | Charge control, CE/Si/Mg logs; pour temp window | OES on every heat; pour temp trend within window | |
| Molding | Green/no-bake/shell parameters; sand SPC | Moisture/compactability/permeability charts posted | |
| Cores | Binder mix, cure time, storage | Tagging with time/lot; core bake records | |
| Gating/Risers | Standard library; simulation | MAGMA/ProCAST screenshots + riser/chill standards | |
| Machining | CMM, tool offset control, coolant | First-off + hourly checks; GR&R on criticals | |
| Leak test | Method, pressure, time, leak rate | 0.8–1.5 bar (11.6–21.8 psi), curve logged to serial | |
| NDT | UT/RT/CT access & procedures | EN 12681-1 (RT) / EN 12680-3 (UT) references | |
| Final QC | CT grade by route, visual, packaging | ISO 8062-3 CT target posted; OK/NG lanes | |
| Traceability | Heat → casting → machining → ship | Barcode/Traveler; records ≥ 3 years |
Pro Tip by YB Metal: Ask for riser/chill standards and at least one simulation screenshot per part. It reveals yield assumptions before you approve tooling.
Pilot run strategy — 30 / 100 / 300 pcs
Table B — Pilot build stages & acceptance
| Stage | Qty | Purpose | Must-pass criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| T0 (samples) | 10–30 | Process prove-out | Dimensional on criticals; material certs; leak test 100%; visual AQL |
| T1 (PPAP/FAI) | 80–120 | Capability + docs | FAI, control plan, PFMEA, MSA; Cpk ≥ 1.33 on key dims; NDT per plan |
| T2 (300 pcs run-at-rate) | 300 | Rate + stability | Scrap/ppm within target; cycle time hit; packaging/labelling proven |
Pro Tip by YB Metal: Keep 100% leak tests through T1 and relax to AQL only after field validation. We pin leak curves to part serials for traceability.
Drawings & specs that cut risk
- Process & CT grade: e.g., No-bake, ISO 8062-3 CT（shell: CT6–CT7； green sand: CT9–CT10）
- Surface & stock: machined faces Ra 3.2–6.3 μm (125–250 μin)； stock per mass range（see table below）
- Leak test: method（air under water / dry air mass flow）、pressure 0.8–1.5 bar, hold 30–60 s, allowable leak rate at temp X°C/°F
- NDT: UT/RT levels & zones; CT for audits
- Units: show mm/in and kg/lb； include gray/grey spelling once for global clarity
Table C — Typical capability & machining stock
| Route | ISO 8062-3 CT | 100 mm tol (indicative) | Ra (as-cast / machined) | Machining stock (by mass) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green sand | CT9–CT10 | ±1.6–2.4 mm (±0.063–0.094 in) | 12.5–25 μm / 3.2–6.3 μm | 5–10 kg: 1.5–2.5 mm；10–50 kg: 2.5–3.5 mm |
| No-bake | CT8–CT9 | ±1.2–1.8 mm (±0.047–0.071 in) | 6.3–12.5 μm / 3.2–6.3 μm | 5–10 kg: 1.2–2.0 mm；10–50 kg: 2.0–3.0 mm |
| Shell | CT6–CT7 | ±0.6–1.0 mm (±0.024–0.039 in) | 1.6–3.2 μm / 1.6–3.2 μm | 5–10 kg: 0.8–1.5 mm；10–50 kg: 1.2–2.0 mm |
Timeline, communication & documentation
Table D — Week-by-week plan (illustrative)
| Week | Milestone | Your action | Supplier output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NDA + RFQ | Send prints + specs + CT grade + leak/NDT | DFM + quote with yield & lead time |
| 2 | Shortlist | Hold video audit | Filled pre-audit checklist |
| 3 | On-site audit | Approve action plan | Audit report + photos |
| 4–5 | Tooling | Approve gating/risers | Simulation screenshots + layout |
| 6 | T0 samples | Ship 10–30 pcs | Material/FAI mini-pack |
| 7–8 | T1 PPAP/FAI | Approve capability | Full PPAP (FAI, CP, PFMEA, MSA) |
| 9–10 | T2 300 pcs | Run-at-rate | PPM + cycle + packaging report |
| 11 | SOP | Freeze settings | Control plan signed |
Documentation to require: PO + specs, revision log, simulation, melt logs, FAI/CMM, leak curves tied to serial, NDT reports, packing & labels.
Cost, Incoterms, payment & tooling
Table E — Commercial terms quick guide
| Topic | Good practice |
|---|---|
| Incoterms | Start FOB China or CIF for landed comparison; move to DAP once stable |
| Payment | 30/70 or LC for tooling; net 30–60 for parts after SOP |
| Tooling | You own the pattern; include refurb plan & storage terms |
| MOQ & batches | Align with setup thresholds (e.g., 80/200 pcs) to drop $/pc 8–20% |
| Inspection | Third-party pre-ship for early lots; rely on capability thereafter |
| IP & prints | NDA + watermark; restrict redistribution; control revs via portal |
Mini Case Snapshot — illustrative
A North American pump OEM moved a 10–50 kg ductile-iron housing family. With a two-stage pilot (T0→T1) and simulation-driven risers, the team reached stable leak performance and signed off PPAP/FAI on schedule. Documentation included CMM, leak curves per serial, and NDT at hot-spot zones.
FAQs
Ready to Start Your Iron Casting Project With YBmetal?
Send us your drawings or part photos, and we’ll prepare a tailored sourcing plan, including foundry recommendations, a cost estimate, and a sampling lead time.