What is the difference between cast and forged products?

Castings are capable of complex designs. Casting tends to be less expensive for larger components and has acceptable mechanical properties as well as a coarser grain structure. With castings, defects, and discontinuities can be common, and some level of non-destructive testing is typically required.

Forgings are limited to simple designs. Forging is economical on smaller components and has better mechanical properties and a finer grain structure. With forgings, defects and discontinuities are not common which reduces the need for non-destructive testing.