 |
Process Comparison |
Return to Process Selector |
| Property Name | Investment Casting | |
|---|---|---|
| Shapes | Thin-walled: Complex, Solid: Cylindrical, Solid: Cubic, Solid: Complex (Flat, Thin-walled: Cylindrical, Thin-walled: Cubic) | |
| Part size | Weight: 0.02 oz - 500 lb | |
| Materials | Metals, Alloy Steel, Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Nickel (Cast Iron, Lead, Magnesium, Tin, Titanium, Zinc) | |
| Surface finish - Ra (μin) | 50 - 125 (16 - 300) | |
| Tolerance (in.) | ± 0.005 (± 0.002) | |
| Max wall thickness | 0.06 - 0.80 (0.025 - 5.0) | |
| Quantity | 10 - 1000 (1 - 1000000) | |
| Lead time | Weeks (Days) | |
| Advantages | Can form complex shapes and fine details, Many material options, High strength parts, Very good surface finish and accuracy, Little need for secondary machining | |
| Disadvantages | Time-consuming process, High labor cost, High tooling cost, Long lead time possible | |
| Applications | Turbine blades, armament parts, pipe fittings, lock parts, handtools, jewelry |
Disclaimer: All process specifications reflect the approximate range of a process's capabilities and should be viewed only as a guide. Actual capabilities are dependent upon the manufacturer, equipment, material, and part requirements.