F.A.Q.

Q – What types of cast iron do you produce?

A – Fonderie Palmieri produces castings in a wide range of ferrous alloys: Grey Lamellar Cast Iron (EN-GJL), standard and high-silicon Ductile (Nodular) Cast Iron (EN-GJS), Compacted Graphite Iron (EN-GJV), SiMo cast iron for high temperatures, Austempered Ductile Iron ADI (austempered EN-GJS), Austenitic Nickel Cast Iron Niresist (EN-GJSA) and wear-resistant White Chromium and Nihard cast irons (EN-GJN).
This diversity allows the optimal alloy to be selected for each application in terms of mechanical strength, thermal resistance, wear resistance or corrosion resistance.
>>Discover all the cast irons we produce

Q – How do I choose the right material for my application?

A – Material selection depends on several factors: mechanical stresses (tensile, fatigue, impact), operating temperature, environment (corrosive, abrasive), machinability requirements and cost. During the engineering phase, Fonderie Palmieri supports the customer in analyzing requirements and selecting the most suitable alloy, if necessary with the aid of simulations.
For high-temperature applications, SiMo or Niresist will typically be recommended; for high mechanical strength, GJS or ADI; for wear resistance, chromium or Nihard cast irons.
>>Discover all our products

Q – Do you produce Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI)? What advantages does it offer over grey cast iron?

A –Yes, Fonderie Palmieri produces Compacted Graphite Iron according to standard EN 16079.
Compacted graphite, with a morphology intermediate between lamellar and nodular, offers a unique combination of properties: mechanical strength and ductility superior to grey cast iron (with up to 75% higher tensile strength), while maintaining thermal conductivity and vibration-damping capacity similar to lamellar cast iron.
It is the ideal choice for cylinder heads, engine blocks and components subject to intense thermal cycles where ductile cast iron would be too rigid.

Q – What is the difference between standard ductile cast iron and high-silicon ductile cast iron?

A –Both are ductile cast irons (nodular graphite), but the high-silicon variant (>3.2% Si, classes EN-GJS-450-18, 500-14, 600-10) offers greater machinability, better resilience and superior fatigue behavior, all without the need for an annealing heat treatment.
This results in a shorter production cycle and reduced costs compared to the equivalent standard ductile cast iron. It is particularly suited to general mechanical components, compressors and vibrating motors where the combination of good machinability and reliable mechanical properties is critical.

Q – What is ADI cast iron and when is it preferable to steel?

A –ADI (Austempered Ductile Iron) is a ductile cast iron subjected to an austempering heat treatment that produces an austenitic-bainitic microstructure.
The result is a material with mechanical strength comparable to or higher than quenched-and-tempered steels (up to 1400 MPa), with the added benefit of cast iron’s castability: complex geometries are possible, raw material cost is lower than forged steel, vibration damping is better and wear resistance is excellent. It is the right choice for gears, gearboxes, automotive components and railway applications where the performance-to-cost ratio is decisive.

Q – Do you produce Niresist and Nihard? Which sectors are they suited for?

A –Yes. Niresist (austenitic nickel cast iron, EN-GJSA) is used where resistance to chemical corrosion, dimensional stability at high temperatures (up to 850°C) and low thermal stresses are required: typically stators for cryogenic compressors, marine exhaust manifolds and pumps for aggressive liquids.
Nihard (chromium-nickel white cast iron, EN-GJN) is instead the choice for extreme abrasion resistance: augers, grinder linings, sandblasting turbine blades, cement pumps. Both alloys require specialized metallurgical expertise and are part of Fonderie Palmieri’s established portfolio.

Q – What is the weight range of the castings you produce?

A – Fonderie Palmieri handles castings from a few kilograms up to significantly heavy pieces (the compacted-graphite cylinder head mentioned on the site weighs 260 kg, the ADI planet carrier 135 kg).
The fettling department is equipped with automatic KOYAMA centers for castings up to 30 kg, a Maus 1200 system for larger castings, and manual booths for castings from 10 to 300 kg.
For precise limits related to your specific geometry, please contact our technical office.
>>Discover Fonderie Palmieri’s production units

Q – Do you handle small batches or only large volumes?

A – Fonderie Palmieri handles both small batches and large volumes. Production flexibility is guaranteed by the medium-frequency induction melting system, which allows different alloys to be melted for each 5-ton batch, without the rigidity of continuous cupola furnaces. The automatic Savelli molding plant instead ensures efficiency and repeatability for longer runs. 3D printing for cores (Binder Jetting) also allows prototyping or production of very small series without investment in physical tooling.

Q – What is Binder Jetting and how can it reduce development times?

A – Binder Jetting (3D printing for cores) is a technology that produces sand cores directly from CAD files, without the need for physical core boxes. Fonderie Palmieri operates an ExOne system.
The main advantage for the customer is a drastic reduction in sampling times: instead of waiting weeks for the construction of traditional tooling, a first sample casting can be obtained in much shorter times. It also allows extremely complex internal geometries, impossible with conventional molding, opening up new design possibilities.
>> Learn more about 3D printing possibilities

Q – How does the automatic molding process work?

A – Molding is carried out with an automatic Savelli plant equipped with Formimpress technology. Sand is compacted around the pattern under high pressure, ensuring dimensional accuracy and high repeatability between castings in the same series.
A sophisticated control system manages cooling times in the mold, ensuring the metallurgical quality of the casting before shakeout. The large available stock of molding flasks allows the molding rate to be decoupled from the pouring rate, optimizing overall productivity.

Q – Do you carry out machining in-house or only through subcontracting?

A – Fonderie Palmieri does not have an in-house machining department, but offers a machining service through established partnerships with qualified Italian machine shops. This allows finished or semi-finished components, ready for assembly, to be delivered to the customer without the customer having to manage an additional supply chain.
Responsibility for the quality of the machined product is managed by Fonderie Palmieri through its own ISO 9001 quality system.

Q – Do you handle the production of patterns and core boxes?

A – Fonderie Palmieri relies on qualified external suppliers for the construction of new tooling (patterns and core boxes), drawing up a detailed technical specification that includes the design of the gating system. It does, however, have an in-house pattern shop for maintenance, modifications and repairs of existing tooling. The tooling warehouse manages more than 2,000 patterns, each uniquely identified and located to guarantee immediate traceability.

Q – Do you provide support during the casting design phase (DFM)?

A – Yes. Fonderie Palmieri’s engineering team offers support during the Design for Manufacturing (DFM) phase: casting feasibility analysis, geometric optimization to reduce defects (shrinkage, porosity, distortion), gating and riser system design, definition of draft angles and machining allowances.
This service is particularly useful during the development of new components, to reduce the number of sampling iterations required and shorten time-to-market.

Q – Do you carry out casting simulations before production?

A – Yes, Fonderie Palmieri uses computerized simulations of the filling and solidification process for the most critical components or new tooling.
Simulation makes it possible to identify in advance areas at risk of shrinkage porosity, cold shuts or inclusions, allowing the feeding system to be optimized before investing in physical tooling. This reduces the number of sampling iterations required and improves the quality of the first casting produced in series.

Q – What laboratory tests do you carry out in-house?

A – Fonderie Palmieri’s in-house laboratory is equipped to carry out the main destructive and non-destructive tests. Tests typically carried out include: chemical analysis by spectrometry (verification of alloy composition), metallographic analysis under microscope (graphite morphology and distribution, matrix structure), tensile tests (tensile strength, yield strength, elongation), Brinell hardness measurement, impact tests (impact energy), and dimensional inspection.
For specific non-destructive tests (X-ray, ultrasound, penetrant testing), please contact our technical office for availability depending on the type of component.

Q – How do you ensure product traceability?

A – Traceability is guaranteed throughout the entire production chain through systematic recording in dedicated management software: certificates of analysis for incoming raw materials (with related radiometric and chemical checks), melting parameters for each heat, laboratory test results on the casting, heat treatments applied (with continuous temperature recording), and documentation of non-conformities and related corrective actions.
Every batch is identifiable and traceable at every step.

Q – Do you provide chemical analysis certificates with each shipment?

A – Yes, Fonderie Palmieri provides chemical analysis certificates (certificate of conformance) for each shipment, attesting to the alloy composition and compliance with the agreed technical specifications. Upon request and depending on the contract, mechanical test results (tensile, hardness) and certification of compliance with applicable reference standards (EN, ASTM or customer standard) can also be provided.

Q – How do you handle non-conformities and complaints?

A – Fonderie Palmieri handles non-conformities through a structured process compliant with ISO 9001 requirements: defect recording, root-cause analysis (8D methodology or equivalent), definition and implementation of corrective actions, verification of effectiveness.
The customer is kept informed of progress and receives documentation of the analysis. The goal is not only to resolve the individual problem, but to prevent recurrence through continuous process improvement.

Q – What international certifications do you hold?

A – Fonderie Palmieri holds a complete portfolio of international certifications: ISO 9001:2015 (Quality), ISO 14001:2015 (Environment), ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety), ISO 50001:2018 (Energy Management), ISO 22163:2023 / IRIS (railway sector), naval certification DNV-CP-0249 and Bureau Veritas certification for marine cast irons. This set of certifications reflects an integrated approach to company management, covering quality, sustainability and industry-specific requirements.
>> View all our Certifications

Q – Are you qualified to supply the naval sector?

A – Yes. Fonderie Palmieri is certified by two international naval classification bodies: DNV (Det Norske Veritas, DNV-CP-0249 certification) and Bureau Veritas.
These certifications enable the supply of cast iron components for naval and offshore applications, attesting to the compliance of materials, casting processes and the quality system with the requirements of the classification societies. Sectors covered include marine engines, sealing systems and naval structural components.

Q – Are you certified for the railway sector (IRIS)?

A – Yes. Fonderie Palmieri is certified ISO 22163:2023 (International Railway Industry Standard – IRIS), the specific quality standard for the railway supply chain developed by UNIFE. The IRIS certification goes beyond ISO 9001 requirements, adding specific requirements for product risk management, control of critical casting processes and supply continuity.
It is required by many European railway manufacturers (Alstom, Siemens Mobility, Stadler and others) for supplier qualification.

Q – Do you produce for the automotive sector?

A – Yes, Fonderie Palmieri has established experience in the automotive sector, particularly for engine components (SiMo and Niresist exhaust manifolds, crankshafts, planet carriers), gearboxes (ADI) and compression systems. Processes are structured to meet the quality requirements typical of the sector. To verify compatibility with specific OEM or Tier 1 specifications, please contact the technical office directly.

Q – How does the vendor qualification process work?

A – Fonderie Palmieri is structured to support the vendor qualification process required by industrial customers.
The typical process includes: submission of system documentation (certifications, quality policy, list of measuring equipment), completion of the self-assessment questionnaire, plant audit (on-site or remote), first sampling with PPAP or equivalent documentation. The quality and sales team is available to guide the customer efficiently through the qualification process.

Q – Are your certifications valid at European and international level?

A – Yes. All Fonderie Palmieri certifications are issued by internationally accredited bodies (DNV, Bureau Veritas, ISO certification bodies accredited by Accredia/IAF).
The EN and ISO standards on which they are based are recognized in all European countries and in most international markets. For markets with specific local regulatory requirements (e.g. GOST standards for Russia, GB for China, ASME for North America), please contact our sales office to assess compatibility.

Q – Which countries do you ship to?

A – Fonderie Palmieri has served the Italian and European market for over 50 years and ships worldwide through qualified and reliable logistics partners. The main markets are Western and Central Europe, but the logistics structure allows shipments to any international destination, by road, rail or sea, depending on volume and customer needs.

Q – How does the request-for-quotation (RFQ) process work?

A – To receive a quote, you need to provide: the technical drawing of the component (PDF format or native CAD), the required material (EN, ASTM specification or description of the application), the expected annual quantities and order lot size, specific quality requirements (reference standards, required tests, acceptance level). With this information, the technical and sales office is able to assess feasibility, estimate tooling costs and propose a unit price. For complex geometries, a preliminary DFM review may be necessary.

Q – Do you manage scheduled-delivery stock (kanban or call-off)?

A – Fonderie Palmieri is open to discussing supply agreements with scheduled deliveries (call-off) or kanban systems for customers with regular and predictable consumption.
This type of agreement allows production batches to be optimized, guarantees immediate product availability and reduces logistics costs for both parties. The specific terms (stock level, delivery frequency, planning horizon) are defined contractually based on volume and customer profile.

Q – Do you collaborate with design firms or only with manufacturing companies?

A – Fonderie Palmieri collaborates with both manufacturing companies and engineering/design firms. In projects under development, early involvement of the foundry (Early Supplier Involvement) allows the component to be optimized for foundry production, avoiding costly redesigns at an advanced stage. If you are a design firm working for a manufacturing company, you can involve us directly in the design review phase.