Besides martensitic and austenitic stainless steels, duplex stainless steel is also the metal type used in investment casting process. Duplex stainless steel has a ferritic-austenitic microstructure, with a phase balance of approximately 50% ferrite and 50% austenite. Combining the advantages of ferritic and austenitic stainless steels, investment casting of duplex stainless steel can creat components with high mechanical strength and high resistance to stress corrosion cracking.
Investment Casting Process of Duplex Stainless Steel
The investment casting process of duplex stainless steel is more difficult than normal stainless steels, that is because duplex stainless steel is quite hard. Most investment casting foundries in China can not cast duplex stainless steel parts, more commonly are 304 and 316 stainless steels. But in CFS Foundry, we have the ability to produce duplex stainless steel parts with our advanced lost wax investment casting process.
During the investment casting process of duplex stainless steel, a wax pattern is used to shape a disposable ceramic mold. A wax pattern is made in the exact shape of the duplex stainless steelitem to be cast. This pattern is coated with a refractory ceramic material. Once the ceramic material is hardened, it is turned upside-down and heated until the wax melts and drains out. The hardened ceramic shell becomes an expendable investment mold. Molten metal is poured into the mold and is left to cool. The duplex stainless steel casting is then broken from of the spent mold.
Why Investment Casting of Duplex Stainless Steel?
Compared with austenitic and ferritic stainless steel castings, duplex stainless steel only comprises a small percentage of investment casting alloys, it has a range of benefits when compared to traditional stainless steel casting grades.
Improved Strength
Investment casting of duplex stainless steel can achieve almost two-times strength than investment casting of austenitic and ferritic stainless steels.
Higher Corrosion Resistance
For duplex stainless steel alloys with increased nitrogen, molybdenum, and chromium, parts created by investment cast duplex stainless steel can have better corrosion resistance as common cast austenitic stainless steel parts.
Affordable Prices
While duplex stainless steel is stronger and more corrosion resistant, but investment casting of duplex stainless steel in CFS Foundry is not expensive due to the lower material cost and labour cost in China. Our competitive advantage lies in our rich investment casting experience to deliver high quality duplex stainless steel investment castings while providing affordable prices.
Applications of Duplex Stainless Steel Castings
The extensive benefits of duplex stainless steel castings mean that it can be used in many different areas:
- Valve & pumps
- Marine hardwares
- Sporting parts, such as Horse Riding Stirrups
- Chemical equipments
- Food machinery components
- Building hardwares, such as glass fittings
CFS Foundry is specialized in stainless steel casting technique, we can investment cast different duplex stainless steel alloys, including 2205, 2207, etc. If you are looking for a duplex stainless steel casting company, pls contact our foundry in China!