Investment casting is the most precise type of casting.
Precision Comparison
Investment casting: Using a wax pattern and a ceramic shell, without a parting surface, it can achieve complex structures and high surface finishes, with dimensional tolerances reaching CT4-6.
Die-casting: High-pressure, high-speed filling produces excellent surface finishes, but may result in slightly lower precision (CT4-8) due to mold wear or shrinkage.
Metal mold casting: The metal mold cools quickly, but burrs are more likely to form on the parting surface, resulting in lower precision (CT6-9) than investment casting.
Sand casting: This traditional process offers the lowest precision and is only suitable for simple castings.
Applications
Investment casting is suitable for the production of complex parts, such as turbine blades and precision instrument components, that can be machined directly or with minimal machining.
Investment casting, also known as lost wax casting, involves the following steps: wax pressing, wax trimming, tree assembly, slurry dipping, wax melting, pouring molten metal, and post-processing. Lost wax casting involves creating a wax pattern of the part to be cast. The wax pattern is then coated with a slurry, creating a clay mold. After the clay mold dries, it’s fired to create a ceramic mold. Once fired, the wax pattern melts away, leaving only the ceramic mold. Typically, a pouring port is created during the clay mold, through which molten metal is poured. After cooling, the desired part is completed.
In addition, investment casting can be used on a wide range of metal materials, including carbon steel, alloy steel, heat-resistant alloys, stainless steel, precision alloys, permanent magnet alloys, bearing alloys, copper alloys, aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, and ductile iron.
Of course, if you have large-scale precision casting needs, consider partnering with Mulan Metal. With 12 years of experience in precision casting, Mulan Metal specializes in the casting and processing of various metal components. We have helped clients in over 30 countries complete their casting production projects and have received consistent praise. We look forward to hearing from you.
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