Stainless Steel Investment Casting

Stainless Steel Investment Casting is an industrial process based on lost-wax casting, one of the oldest known metal-forming techniques. The term "lost-wax casting" can also refer to modern investment casting processes.

Water glass and silica sol investment casting are the two primary stainless steel investment casting methods nowadays. The main differences are the surface roughness and cost of casting. Water glass method dewaxes into the high-temperature water, and the ceramic mold is made of water glass quartz sand. Silica sol method dewaxes into the flash fire, and silica sol zircon sand makes the ceramic mold. Silica sol method costs more but has the better surface than the water glass method.

The process of stainless steel investment casting can be used for both small castings of a few ounces and large castings weighing several hundred pounds. It can be more expensive than die casting or sand casting, but per-unit costs decrease with large volumes. Investment casting can produce complicated shapes that would be difficult or impossible with other casting methods. It can also produce products with exceptional surface qualities and low tolerances with minimal surface finishing or machining required.

Auwell stainless investment casting, the normal material is 304, 304L, 316, 316L and DSS (Duplex Stainless Steel). Recently, we developed 1.4581 stainless steel investment casting parts for a German client for paper industry. Auwell stainless steel investment casting, the size limits are 3 g (0.1 oz) to several hundred kilograms. The cross-sectional limits are 0.6 mm (0.024 in) to 75 mm (3.0 in).

The process of the stainless steel investment casting:

- Produce a master pattern

- Create a mold

- Produce wax patterns

- Assemble wax patterns

- Apply investment materials

- Dewax

- Burnout preheating

- Pouring

- Divesting

- Finishing   

The advantages of stainless steel investment casting:

- Excellent surface finish

- High dimensional accuracy

- Extremely intricate parts are castable

- No flash or parting lines

Auwell Advantages

- Rich Experience

More than 20 years of experience in stainless steel investment casting products development and production, especially to the European and North American markets, with solid understanding of the material, technical and quality standards worldwide.

- Fast Turnaround

Generally, we provide a quotation within 3 working days. Combining the latest manufacturing technologies and facilities, Auwell can provide fast prototypes in just 2 weeks for simple projects.

- Comprehensive Solution Provider

Auwell provides comprehensive services for stainless steel investment casting projects starting from designing, through prototyping, tooling/fixture development, sampling, mass production, and to logistic and post-sale support.

- Rigid QC Policies

The most rigorous quality policy starts from material control, and is followed through to final pre-shipment inspection. For quality control of casting parts, we provide set of test reports including chemical components, mechanical property, X-ray test, metallographic analysis report etc. For dimension inspection, we offer 3D scanning report, also CMM is available for inspection. We structure our processes, creating Flow Charts and Control Plans before production, making sure all QC processes are in accordance with ISO9001-2015 requirements and drawing specifications.

- Flexible Payment Term

Tooling payments need to be pre-paid. For mass production, we offer flexible payment terms, reasonable credit terms will be given, the client only pays when they are happy with the product they received. For long-term projects, we offer call-off inventory services for fast delivery requirements.

The following catalogues of stainless steel investment casting parts are the ones that Auwell has produced and supplied to our distinguished worldwide clients. Please click the relevant pictures for details. Please be advised, most of the products are for demonstration purposes only.