A Complete Guide to Stainless Steel Investment Casts will help you understand the process and benefits of this type of metal casting. The process begins with the injection of hot wax into a metal mold, which forms a detailed model of the part. High-temperature melting is used to remove the wax, leaving a hollow mold shell. The metal is then poured into the mold and solidifies. The metal then undergoes machining to remove excess materials and improve its dimensional accuracy. A machining allowance should be allocated to the design, so that it can meet all of the design requirements.
First Investment Coat
The first investment coat is crucial for a superior finish, and is one of the advantages of the stainless steel casting process. This coating is composed of a zircon-based slurry that resembles latex paint. The entire wax tree assembly is then covered with zircon sand, which dries and hardens. The wax tree is then dipped in additional slurries to increase the mold’s strength.
Once the wax has cooled, the investment cast is turned over to melt the wax and prepare the cavity for the steel casting. Heat is then applied to the investment cast, allowing the outer wax to drain and expand. The mold is then allowed to cool until the metal has solidified. The amount of time required for the casting to dry depends on the method used. If the process is being performed in a factory, the stainless steel investment castings are then shipped.
Melting the Wax
The process begins with melting of the wax and secondary strengthening of the ceramic tree mold. The molten metal is poured into the cavity and allowed to cool. After the wax has cooled, the investment cast is placed in a water jet and agitator to remove any remaining wax. During this time, a burnout process is used to remove any wax left over after the casting. Once the process is complete, the cast is ready for secondary processing.
After the investment cast has been formed, it is heated up to remove the wax. The wax will expand and allow the steel to be poured. This heat treatment is essential for the quality of the product. A quality cast will have a dimensional accuracy that exceeds the requirements of the original manufacturer. A complete guide to Stainless Steel Investment Casting will help you understand the entire process from start to finish.
Ensure a Superior Surface
The first investment coat is important in the process and will ensure a superior surface finish. During this stage, a zircon-based slurry is applied to the wax tree assembly. After the wax tree has been covered with the zircon slurry, the mold is left to dry. Another slurry is used to build the mold’s strength. This is followed by the cast.
During this step, the investment cast is heated. This step is essential to allow the metal to properly set. After the investment cast is completed, it is turned upside down and heated again. This time, the wax is melted, and the metal is then poured into the mold. After the investment casting process, the wax tree is turned upside down and the wax is removed. This step is called the burnout process.
Investment Casting Process
The next step in the investment casting process is to turn the investment cast upside down and warm it to melt the wax and remove the remaining wax. This is necessary to ensure that the metal is heated sufficiently to allow the metal to fully expand. This step is known as the burnout process, and once the sacrificial mould is cooled, the sacrificial mould will be turned over and the parts will be ready for installation.
Conclusion:
The process is extremely complicated, but it is worth the effort. Everyone should read more about it. The investment cast is made using wax and heated to remove the wax. The wax can expand and melt, causing the mold to be hollow. After the investment cast has cooled, it is sent through a water jet or agitator to remove the wax. In many cases, the investment cast is ready to be used without any further secondary processing.
