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Stainless steel is considered one of the best metals to use in the lost wax casting process. This material is known for its excellent corrosion resistance and strength, making it ideal for casting stainless steel parts for numerous applications.
Before the stainless steel lost-wax casting process begins, a specific mold that is divided into two halves is machined with high precision. When the mold is ready, wax is injected into the mold to form a wax pattern of the same shape as the desired stainless steel part. These wax models are then mounted on wax trees. The wax trees are interchangeably inserted into the ceramic mass and topped with stucco material. After this, it is left to dry and the process is repeated until a thick crust is obtained.
Once the shell is complete, it is melted to create a cavity in the preferred pattern. Molten metal is then poured into the area until it is filled. After the molten metal solidifies, the thick shell breaks and the castable material falls off. The rest are finished products.
Benefits of Using Stainless Steel Lost Wax Casting
design flexibility
With the wide range of stainless steel grades available, you'll enjoy the flexibility to configure your castings to your needs. Stainless steel lost wax casting can even take on complex shapes or contain hollow section parts. Since stainless steel lost wax casting is made through a repetitive process, multiple stainless steel castings can be produced efficiently.
Not prone to rust or corrosion
If you use stainless steel in the lost wax casting process, you don't have to worry about rust or corrosion. For this reason, these become the preferred choice for most industrial applications that subject these components to conditions where metals are prone to corrosion. Some customers also choose aluminum castings to produce parts that are not subject to corrosion. However, they are not as strong, high pressure resistant or durable as stainless steel castings.
near net shape
Another advantage of using stainless steel for lost wax casting is that it provides better surface finish, tighter dimensional tolerances and greater alloy flexibility. In this way, the result can be near-net shape, requiring less machining and other processes that can increase costs.
strength and durability
Durability Most manufacturers choose to use stainless steel lost wax castings also because of their incredible durability and strength. You can expect these stainless steel parts from the lost wax casting process to perform well and stay in good condition for a long time, even when used in extreme temperatures.
Investment casting is a manufacturing process in which a refractory ceramic material is applied to a wax pattern. Once the ceramic coating material dries and hardens, the wax melts and leaves an internal cavity of the final product geometry. Molten metal is poured into the cavity where the wax pattern sits. The metal solidifies in the ceramic cavity, cools, and the ceramic is removed from the metal casting. The result of this process is a clean to near-clean precision metal component that can be used in a wide variety of applications across a variety of industries.
Why is it called investment casting?
The ancient art and science of investment casting is also known as the lost wax process. Investment casting has been developed over 5,500 years ago, with roots dating back to ancient Egypt and China. Parts manufactured industrially by this process include dental fixtures, gears, cams, ratchets, jewellery, turbine blades, mechanical components, and other parts of complex geometries.
Advantages of precision casting
In the manufacture of precision metal components, investment casting offers many benefits, including:
Mold Design Versatility
Adding Complex Design Capabilities
Provides a smoother surface (125 RMS)
High-precision, repeatable design
Time and cost savings compared to fabrication and machining
Produce various types of products
Various types of metal alloys can be used