Question 1 (a) Relatively speaking, compare the cooling rate of a sand-cast component and a die-cast component. How does this affect the microstructure of the as-cast component? (b) Describe the investment casting process and give examples where it is commonly used. (c) Describe the slip casting process (use diagrams if necessary) and give an example of a product that is manufactured using this processing technique (d) Describe the continuous slab-casting technique for the production of large iron slabs prior to hot rolling (use diagrams if necessary). What are the advantages of this technique compared to conventional ingot rolling? (e) Name & describe three rapid solidification techniques used to generate amorphous microstructures