Why Silica Sol for Investment Casting? Silica sol is a kind of milky colloid. Since the colloid grains are minute (10-20micrometer) and have relatively large surface area, so they do not affect the natural color of materials to be covered. Silica sol is mutually soluble with water , but not with organic solvent. It can dissolve in a solution of alcohol or water mixed in any ratio. The distinguished feature is that with low viscosity, it can soak the places…
Water glass casting is one of the most common investment casting processes in China, but is seldom in other countries. In Chinese investment casting foundries, about 80% foundries focus its business in water glass casting, while the rest are silica sol casting factories. So what is water glass casting? Water glass casting, one kind of lost wax investment casting process, uses water glass as the binder for the shell. The origin of water glass casting is in Russia. Process of…
Powder Coating is a type of coating that is applied for investment castings as well as other castings. The main difference between a conventional liquid paint and a powder coating is that the powder coating does not require a solvent to keep investment castings in a liquid suspension form. The coating is typically applied electrostatically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a “skin”. The powder may be a thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer.…
Casting and Forging are the two most common manufacturing methods for metal components. So what is casting or forging? What are the differences between casting and forging? Casting Casting is a process that forming desired shapes from liquid status by pouring. In casting, material or ingots will be first poured into prepaid molds and then getting solid for finish shapes. Therefore, there are no restrictions on the shape or the size of material that is to be used for the…
For investment casting manufacturers, to promote better development, besides adding more investment, we should also reduce production cost. Before learning how to control mininum manufacturing cost, we need to know the main factors that may affect the cost of investment casting. 1. Type of metal Due to different metal alloys, the cost will also be different. In steel castings, stainless steel casting is the most expensive for the high stainless steel cost. Compared with steel castings, as cost of iron…
As an investment casting manufacturer, we are always looking at ways to improve our product performance in a lower cost for our customers without changing its original design. One effective way is to achieve this for our customers by converting current weldments into investment castings. Converting weldments to investment castings is new hot trend that current customers choose the manufacturing process for their products. Due to the advantages of investment casting, more manufacturing companies are producing metal parts in whole investment…
Investment Casting Overview Investment casting, also known as lost-wax casting or precision casting, is a manufacturing process used to produce complex, detailed, and high-quality metal components. The process involves creating a wax pattern that replicates the desired shape of the final product, which is then coated with a refractory ceramic material. Once the ceramic material hardens, the wax is melted and removed, leaving a hollow ceramic mold. Molten metal is then poured into the mold, filling the cavity and taking…
Shot blasting is a post-production finishing service for investment castings which is processed through the rapid impacting on the surface of investment castings with a defined amount of abrasive material. This results in a faster and more efficient process when compared to filing for flash removal that remained on investment castings. By using very specific types and amounts of shot material, CFS foundry can shot blast parts of all sizes and shapes. For example, tiny steel shot is utilized to…
Pickling & passivation are the most widely used surface treatment method for stainless steel castings. Stainless steel casting can corrode in service if there is contamination of the surface. Both pickling and passivation are chemical treatments applied to the surface of stainless steel casting to remove contaminants and assist the formation of a continuous chromium-oxide, passive film. Pickling and passivation are both acid treatments and neither will remove grease or oil. As black or yellow scale cinder are easily produced…
Stainless steel provides superior corrosion and a surface area highly desirable for applications where the strength of iron and the resistance properties of chromium are needed along with a identifiable finish suitable for both industrial and commercial needs. So stainless steel is widely served for investment castings. What Causes Corrosion? Only metals such as gold and platinum are found naturally in a pure form – normal metals only exist in nature combined with other elements. Corrosion is therefore a natural…