what is an ingot

An ingot is a piece of relatively pure material, usually metal, that is cast into a shape suitable for further processing. It is typically rectangular, which allows it to be stacked and transported easily. Ingots are most commonly associated with metals, such as gold ingots held in the vaults of banks and brokerages. Ingots are manufactured by the cooling of a molten liquid (known as the melt) in a mold, which is designed to completely solidify and form an appropriate grain structure required for later processing. The structure formed by the cooling of the melt controls the physical properties of the material. Ingots usually require a second procedure of shaping, such as cold/hot working, cutting, or milling to produce a useful final product. Non-metallic and semiconductor materials prepared in bulk form may also be referred to as ingots, particularly when cast by mold-based methods.