What Is The Investment Casting Process?

The Investment Casting Process is explained here. So learn the stages of the investment casting process in detail.

What is the Investment Casting Process

The type of casting process to be used for making a product depends upon its design requirements, cost, and feasibility. Here we are going to discuss the investment casting process. Investment casting is used to make small and intricate parts with high precision. This process saves a lot of energy and material waste. Thus, investment casting is widely preferred by engineers producing high-precision parts.
What Is The Investment Casting Process
What Is The Investment Casting Process? 


Investment casting involves the creation of wax patterns on a shell made of plastic or ceramic. The wax is melted away in a furnace. Molten metal is then poured into the shell to create the component as per the design of the wax patterns present on the shell.

Stages of Investment Casting

There are multiple stages in investment casting. Below is the explanation of the stages.

Creation of a wax pattern 


Wax patterns are created as per the shape and design of the product to be cast. Thermal contraction is taken into consideration when creating patterns. The patterns are created by injecting wax into a metal die. The patterns are fixed on a wax tree or sprue. The wax tree is a gate and runner delivery system. 3D printing technology can be used to make patterns rapidly. 


Making the mold 


The wax pattern is dipped in a ceramic solution. And then, a sand plaster is applied to the surface. Then it is allowed to dry. Multiple cycles of dipping in slurry and drying using sand stucco are performed to achieve the correct thickness of the shell. The thickness of the shell depends on the size and design of the component to be cast. 


The ceramic mold is dried so that it becomes strong enough to withstand molten metal thoroughly..


Removing the wax 


The mold is placed in a steam autoclave or flash fire oven to melt away the wax. Residual wax is removed by heating the mold in a furnace. The mold is now free of wax and has a cavity in the shape of the part to be cast. The mold is heated to a particular temperature so that molten metal poured in it does not solidify before the mold is filled. High temperature also enhances the strength and stability of the mold.


Casting 


Molten metal is poured inside the mold. The metal alloy is melted in a ceramic crucible by a process called induction or electric resistance melting. Vacuum melting is used for metal alloys having reactive elements. The molten metal solidifies and is allowed to cool. The mold is then broken using a hammer or high-pressure water blast. Gates and runners are also removed from the cast. 


Finishing and Testing 


Grinding, machining, and sandblasting are carried out to give a perfect finish to the cast. Tests such as magnetic particle, fluorescent penetrant, and radiography are done. The dimensions are also subjected to final inspection. 


Investment casting manufacturers in India 


There are many companies engaged in Investment Casting India. These companies produce a host of investment casts using alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, Monel, super alloys, aluminum, and many more. Investment casting is used to make components for pumps, valves, machine tools, instruments, automobiles, and many more.

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