Investment Casting

Need help with a new project?

Let's push the limits of what is possible, together. Ask your metal experts.

What Is investment casting?

Investment casting (also known as lost wax investment casting or precision investment casting) produces parts with fine detail and an excellent as-cast surface finish. Investment casting produces internal or external features, thin walls, and internal passageways to get to a near-net shape. These features often lead to significant cost savings in material, labor, and machining compared to other metal casting processes.

In investment casting a detailed wax pattern of the finished part is created and mounted onto a wax "tree" that includes the metal delivery system (gates and risers). The tree is alternately dipped into a ceramic slurry and sprinkled with stucco material, and then allowed to dry. This process is repeated until a thick shell exists over the wax pattern.

The wax pattern is then melted, leaving a cavity within the stucco material in the shape of the pattern. Molten metal is poured into this cavity. Once the metal solidifies the shell is broken away through a shakeout process and the gating material is removed, leaving the finished part.

MetalTek produces investment castings up to 40" diameter x 34" tall (1016 mm x 864 mm) with weight up to 1,400 lbs. (635 kg) rough and over 1,000 lbs. (454 kg) net at our investment casting foundry.

See the video to the right to learn more about the investment casting process.

Air Melt Alloy Investment Casting

MetalTek specializes in lost wax investment casting in alloys resistant to heat, wear, and corrosion. We are unique as an investment casting manufacturer with our ability to cast large parts with net weights of more than 850 lbs. (385 kg). Value engineering helps manage programs to deliver the right part on time.

MetalTek also performs most Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) functions including various penetrant inspections, magnetic particle, and radiographic tests in support of investment castings. We also provide single-source responsibility for finish machining, polishing, electro-plating, and other secondary operations.

Investment Casting Video

Play Video

When to use Investment Casting

External shaping and tight tolerances exist
Parts are shaped or non-symmetrical with fine detail
Multiple and/or intricate internal passageways in design
Dimensions are small to medium, typically under 1,000 lbs./454 kg
Excellent as-cast surface finish is required
Wall thickness is too thin for sand casting
High upfront tooling costs relative to sand casting are acceptable
Low volume allows printed patterns to replace upfront tooling
Ongoing tool maintenance costs are not desired
Machining of internal passageways is not possible

Investment castings at MetalTek are produced at Wisconsin Investcast.

Solutions

Flow Nozzle

Investment casted components for flow control customers in many applications.

Flow Meter Bodies

Versatile tooling supports meter body production.

Meat Grinding Equipment

Customers employing investment castings in this application have saved money.

Air Valve Body

Precision investment casting and high alloy for aerospace air valve body.

Oil Field Pipe Clamp

Just one example of a wide range of manufactured oil field components MetalTek produces.

Exhaust Manifold

Tight tolerance capability and the introduction of internal structures through cores make investment casting a logical choice.

Related Blogs

Comparing Costs for Investment Casting, Sand Casting, and Centrifugal Casting

June 27, 2023

When considering the production of complex metal components, it is important to evaluate the costs associated with different...