Structural Integrity

Far superior in strength compared to castings. High level of material predictability

Products tend to be more porous and more susceptible to breakage compared to forgings

Tolerance

Not well suited to highly complex geometries

Allows for a high level of detail. Able to adhere to tight tolerances

Product Size

Limited in terms of the size and thickness of the metal (larger = more difficult)

Compatible with a wide range of sizes

Material Selection

Selection of alloys is limited

Compatible with nearly all types of metal

Secondary Operations

Usually requires secondary operations to refine and finish product to exact specifications

Provides primary product that will usually require very few secondary operations

Cost

Tends to be most cost effective for medium to large production runs

Generally, less expensive compared to forging, but it depends on the specific casting method used.