Investment Casting

Investment casting is one of the oldest metal forming techniques and involves using a wax pattern to create a ceramic mold. This molding method creates exact shapes and allows for thin walls and complex passageways and details that are harder or costlier to achieve using other casting methods. Once the wax patterns are created, they are placed on a tree-like assembly and dipped into a series of fine-grained silica slurries to create a thick coating. After the coating dries the mold is heated to remove the wax, leaving behind a hollow ceramic mold. Molten metal is poured into the mold and allowed to cool and solidify. Once the metal completely cools the mold is broken away using vibration, pressurized water, or manual methods. The individual parts are then separated from the "tree" and lightly ground to smooth the away any imperfections. Investment casting is compatible with a wide variety of metals and alloys including stainless steel, aluminum, tool steels, carbon steel, and more. The process is used to create parts for everything ranging from jet engine components to parts for medical devices.

Investment Casting Companies

• Aero Metals, Inc.: This company provides precision investment castings ranging from prototype parts to full production runs and product assembly. They are  ISO9001:2008 certified, AS9100 compliant, and NADCAP approved for a range of non-destructive testing processes.
• Compass & Anvil Sales and Engineering, Inc. helps companies source investment casting and other metal casting services from trusted manufacturers in the U.S. and China. They'll help you source a manufacturer that can meet your specifications at a competitive price.
• EPCO: Has over 70 years of investment casting experience and is AS 9100 certified and NADCAP accredited for heat treatment and non-destructive testing. The company pours over 75 ferrous and non-ferrous alloys and offers rapid prototype and several other in-house special processes and services.
• General Foundry Service: They are ISO 9001:2015 certified and ITAR registered and offer five different casting processes, including investment casting , for fingernail sizes up to 500 lbs. They specialize in aluminum and zinc aluminum castings and provide prototyping services.