Iron is the most prominent element in steel alloys, with carbon coming in second. Additional elements such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten may be included in steel investment castings. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Ferralloy Inc.
Cleveland, OH | 440-250-1900For over 30 years, we have provided metal forged products for a wide variety of industries, including the aerospace, military, food service, medical, and automotive industries. Our customers know they can trust our forgings for quality and affordability. We will never try to make you pay more than you should for our products. Contact us by phone or email to find out more!
Rimer Enterprises, Inc.
Waterville, OH | 419-878-8156Since 1944 we have been driven to remain a cut above the competition in investment castings and everything we do. We have our own tooling shop filled with state-of-the-art testing machines. We ensure perfect results every time. It is our goal to establish lifelong relationships with our customers that benefit us both. Contact us for more info today!
Impro Industries USA, Inc.
Diamond Bar, CA | 877-484-6776At Impro, we have top-of-the-line equipment for the most demanding investment casting requirements. Our equipment and automation process controls allow us to work with different ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, and maintain consistent and repeatable tolerances as close as ± 0.1 mm. Our investment castings are dimensionally and geometrically complex and produced to net shape, minimizing the need for secondary machining. Contact us today to learn more!
Lodestar Quality LLC
Lafayette, IN | 765-463-7455Founded in 2011, Lodestar Quality LLC is a knowledge-driven custom manufacturing solutions provider that provides manufacturers of products a full range of services from innovative design and engineering, to sourcing and production using best in class quality control methods in a cost efficient manner. Focus areas include fabrications, castings, machining and forging, plastic products, and mechatronics.
MetalTek International
Waukesha, WI | 262-544-7777MetalTek International manufactures metal components that power, protect, and connect people and businesses worldwide. Our sand, investment, and centrifugal castings are used in heat, wear, and corrosion environments from the depths of the ocean to the surface of Mars. With our diverse capabilities and depth of experience, we will help you overcome obstacles and push the limits of what is possible. Contact MetalTek today and together we will Make A Lasting Difference in people’s lives.
Modern Aluminum Castings Co., Inc.
Terre Haute, IN | 800-467-6252We act as a single-source aluminum investment casting partner for all our customers. We also act as a domestic and global supplier for all our products. We create products for industries including appliance, HVAC, electrical, construction, medical, and automotive. No matter what industry you are in, we can help you find the right solution. Contact us for more info!
Protocast JLC
Chatsworth, CA | 818-882-7848Protocast Inc. uses the precision lost wax investment castings method to prototype and produce products for the aerospace, commercial, medical, and military industries. We pour aluminum, bronze, and steel alloys. We have been in the investment casting business since 1966. We strive to have the highest quality products in the industry while continuously improving and expanding.
Signicast: A Form Technologies Company
Hartford, WI | 262-673-2700Signicast is a proven leader in precision investment casting and rapid prototyping with state-of-the-art facilities that utilize just-in-time manufacturing processes. Investment casting provides ultimate design freedom, variety, and alloy selection. And at Signicast, we have more than 150 alloys to choose from.
The strength and durability of a particular casting is largely dependent upon the specific metallurgical composition. In general, steel and especially stainless steel investment castings are popular in industrial applications as they are stronger than cast iron, wrought iron, and malleable iron. These parts are capable of enduring shocks, wear, and heavy loads.
Though these features can be attributed in large part to the material itself, investment casting allows for the creation of completed precision parts with no flash or parting lines. Because the wax molds are exact replicas of the desired final product, accuracy is easily attained and parts rarely require additional processing.
Steel Investment Castings - Kovatch Castings, Inc.Because steel investment castings are used in such varied industries as aerospace, automotive, construction, dental, medical, military, mining, food processing, sports, and telecommunications; it is important to consider the design and material used to create a specific component to ensure it is suited to its intended use.
When ordering steel investment castings, the type of steel that will be used to produce the part must be identified. Steel investment castings are usually ordered to ASTM requirements and may be made from carbon steel, low and high alloys steel, low-temperature steel, heat resistant steel, and stainless steel, among others. By specifying the test methods for an order, the requirements of the material can be guaranteed.
Though the material composition of the steel is variable, the investment casting process is relatively straightforward.
First, a wax pattern is carved by hand, machine, or created through injection molding. This model is often a prototype and must meet the exact specifications of the finished part.
The wax master die is then mounted on a wax rod known as a sprue. In some cases several dies are attached to a single sprue creating what is known as a tree.
The assembly is then dipped into a ceramic slurry known as the investment until thoroughly covered. For particularly complex designs, the sprue may be placed in a flask that is then filled with investment and vibrated to remove air pockets and ensure complete adherence to the pattern.
This coating is then dried and hardened using an oven or furnace which also melts the wax. Additional heating may be required to remove moisture or wax residue. As the wax runs out, a hollow shell is left.
Molten steel is poured into it. Once the steel is fully cooled the shell is removed by water-blasting, dissolving agent, or other method to reveal the finished steel product.
