Build the pattern. Destroy it to make the casting.
Investment casting forms metal components by surrounding expendable wax patterns with ceramic material, removing the wax, and filling the remaining shell cavity with molten alloy.
The mold is created around a disposable version of the final
Complex Shapes
The process can create detailed external geometry and features that may be difficult to produce through simpler mold systems.
Wide Alloy Range
Investment casting can support stainless steels, carbon steels, specialty alloys, and other metals depending on foundry capability.
Near-Net Shape
Castings may require less machining than processes that begin with rougher or more heavily oversized forms.
Wax replicas are produced to represent the final cast geometry and expected process allowances.
Patterns are connected to a central runner system so multiple castings can be poured together.
Repeated coating and stucco layers build a refractory shell around the wax assembly.
The wax is removed and the shell is prepared to withstand molten metal.
Molten alloy fills the shell cavity and cools into the required cast geometry.
Castings are separated from the tree before grinding, heat treatment, machining, finishing, or inspection.
Pour temperature, shell system, solidification, heat treatment, machinability, strength, corrosion resistance, and final inspection requirements all vary with material selection.
Section Thickness
Large changes in section thickness can affect filling, cooling, shrinkage, and final dimensional behavior.
Internal Geometry
Cores or other techniques may be needed where the casting includes enclosed or difficult internal passages.
Machining Stock
Critical sealing surfaces, threads, bores, or interfaces may still require controlled machining after casting.
Pattern Tooling
Production quantities and geometry influence wax tooling complexity, pattern consistency, and program economics.
Forging shapes solid metal through compressive force and can be selected when mechanical performance is a major design driver.
Explore Forging →