Valatud

Valatud is an Estonian adjective derived from the verb valama, meaning to pour or to cast. It describes an object or material formed by pouring a liquid substance into a mold and letting it solidify. In general use, valatud can refer to metal, concrete, or other materials that have been shaped through casting, and it can describe both the process and the resulting product.

In metallurgy, valatud metallitooted are castings produced by pouring molten metal into a mold. Common examples include valatud raud (cast iron), valatud teras (cast steel), and valatud alumiinium. Casting enables complex geometries and integrated features, and is used for components ranging from automotive parts to machinery housings. The properties of valatud metal depend on alloy composition, cooling rate, and mold design, with considerations such as strength, hardness, and porosity.

In construction, valatud betoon refers to poured concrete, used for foundations, slabs, beams, and other structural elements. The technique involves pouring a liquid concrete mix into forms, followed by curing and surface finishing. The method allows large, continuous components and durable, monolithic structures, but quality depends on mix design, reinforcement, and curing conditions.

In art and industrial design, casting processes such as sand casting, investment casting, and die casting produce valatud objects, including sculptures, fittings, and consumer components. The term emphasizes the shaping method rather than the material alone, and it highlights the transition from liquid material to solid form.

See also: valamine (the process of pouring or casting)