colata

Colata is a noun of Italian origin referring to the action or result of pouring a liquid, typically molten metal or other highly fluid substances, into a mold or target shape. The term derives from the verb colare (to flow).

In metallurgy and foundry work, a colata denotes the mass of metal poured into a mold to form a desired piece. It is also used to describe the process itself, including variations such as colata continua (continuous casting), where molten metal is solidified into a semi-finished product like ingots or billets.

In volcanology, the expression colata lavica refers to a lava flow, the movement of magma on the surface after eruption. Colate laviche can vary in viscosity, speed, and extent, shaping the landscape as they advance and solidify.

In construction and civil engineering, colata describes the act of pouring concrete on site to form structural elements such as foundations, slabs, or walls. Proper sequencing, curing, and compaction during the colata are essential to achieve the desired strength and durability of the final concrete element.

Historically, the term has also been used in other industries to indicate poured or cast materials, and it remains a general descriptor for any process involving the discharge of a liquid that subsequently hardens or sets. The plural form is colate.