Overview

Investment Casting, also known as lost-wax casting, is a precision metal forming process that produces complex metal parts with exceptional surface finish and dimensional accuracy. At Yujiaxin Tech, our investment casting facility produces parts weighing from 10 grams up to 50 kg, with dimensional tolerances of ±0.05 mm to ±0.15 mm and surface finishes as fine as Ra 1.6 μm. The process uses wax patterns coated with multiple layers of ceramic slurry to create a precise mold, enabling the production of parts with intricate internal cavities, undercuts, and thin walls that would be impossible to machine. We support a wide range of castable alloys including carbon steels, stainless steels, aluminum, copper alloys, nickel-based superalloys (Inconel), and titanium alloys. With tooling lead times of 3-6 weeks, investment casting offers an ideal balance between design complexity and cost-effectiveness for production volumes from 100 to 10,000 pieces.

Key Advantages

<ul><li>Design freedom — produce complex internal geometries, undercuts, and thin walls</li><li>Wide material range — cast virtually any metal alloy from carbon steel to superalloys</li><li>Superior surface finish — Ra 1.6-3.2 μm directly from casting, reducing finishing costs</li><li>Tight dimensional accuracy — achieve ±0.05 mm tolerances on critical dimensions</li><li>Low tooling cost compared to forging or die casting — economical for low to medium volumes</li><li>Excellent repeatability — ceramic shell process ensures consistent quality across production runs</li></ul>

Applications

<ul><li>Aerospace components — turbine blades, structural brackets, ducting systems</li><li>Medical implants — orthopedic implants, surgical instrument handles</li><li>Industrial equipment — pump housings, valve bodies, impellers</li><li>Automotive — engine components, turbocharger parts, suspension parts</li><li>Marine hardware — propeller components, fittings, corrosion-resistant parts</li></ul>

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Tolerance (General)	±0.05 mm - ±0.15 mm
Surface Finish (Ra)	1.6 - 3.2 μm
Max Part Weight	Up to 50 kg
Min Wall Thickness	1.0 mm
Production Volume	100 - 10,000 pieces
Tooling Lead Time	3 - 6 weeks
Pattern Material	Wax / 3D Printed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between investment casting and sand casting?

Investment casting uses a ceramic shell mold around a wax pattern, producing superior surface finish (Ra 1.6-3.2 μm) and tighter tolerances (±0.05 mm) compared to sand casting. It is ideal for complex geometries and high-value alloys.

What metals can be investment cast?

Investment casting works with virtually all metals: carbon steels, stainless steels, tool steels, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, nickel-based superalloys (Inconel), cobalt alloys, and titanium alloys.

How long does investment casting tooling take?

Tooling for investment casting typically takes 3-6 weeks. The wax injection die is the primary tooling component. For complex parts, additional time may be needed for die design and manufacturing.

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