An ingot is a piece of relatively pure material, usually metal, that is cast into a shape suitable for further processing
. Ingots are typically rectangular or cylindrical in shape and are commonly made from aluminum, copper, steel, and other metals. The size of an ingot can range from a few ounces to several tons depending on the metal and the manufacturing process
. Ingots are usually the first step in steelmaking and are considered semi- finished casting products that 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
. Ingots can be used as currency or as a currency reserve, as with gold bars
