What is a key feature of sand casting that can be identified on the finished product?

A key feature of sand casting that can be identified on the finished product is the riser mark. In the sand casting process, a riser is used to provide a reservoir of molten metal during the solidification of the casting. This is crucial as it helps to ensure that the casting fills completely and compensates for any shrinkage that occurs as the metal cools and solidifies.

The riser mark is often visible on the finished product as it corresponds to the area where the molten metal was drawn from the riser. This feature serves as a clear indication of the casting process and can be analyzed to assess the effectiveness of the casting and the design used.

Other features such as finishing marks or surface finish pertain more to post-processing and finishing techniques applied to enhance the appearance or functionality of the part after it has been cast. Color variation can occur from the metal alloy or other materials used but does not inherently indicate the sand casting process itself in the same definitive manner that a riser mark does.