Investment casting can produce a wide variety of metal parts and products, but choosing the right metal material for your project is important. In general, all ferrous and non-ferrous metals can be used to produce parts in the investment casting process. The right metal material can help you achieve desired functionality, save material costs, eliminate unwanted casting defects, and limit the need for secondary machining after casting is complete.
What is the Difference Between Ferrous and Non-ferrous Casting Materials?
The choice between ferrous and non-ferrous casting alloys depends on the type of application. Ferrous metals contain iron and are therefore more susceptible to corrosion, making them less suitable for applications where parts are exposed to moisture and other environmental factors.
However, their magnetic properties make them suitable for many electrical applications, and their tensile strength makes them suitable for heavy duty applications. Ferrous metals include iron and iron alloys such as steel. Stainless steel is another highly durable and magnetic iron alloy, but it also has corrosion-resistant properties due to its chromium content.
Non-ferrous casting alloys are more ductile than ferrous alloys and offer high corrosion resistance. They are also lighter than ferrous metals and can be magnetic. Common non-ferrous alloys include aluminum, copper and copper alloys, and nickel.
What Metal Materials Are Suitable for the Process of Investment Casting?
There are many metal materials available for investment casting, we have listed 9 common metal materials for you.
Stainless steel metal material
Stainless steel is a kind of metal material, which is a kind of alloy metal material with both corrosion resistance and rust resistance. Stainless steel is also used in investment casting in the food industry and in medical, mining and plumbing applications. Our stainless steel casting materials include 17-4 PH, 15-5 PH and 300 series and 400 series stainless steel.
Carbon steel metal material
Carbon steel alloys are known for their poor corrosion resistance and fairly good machinability. Investment casting using carbon steel produces wear-resistant precision parts. Carbon steel is cost-effective and easy to machine. It can also be heat treated to increase its strength and ductility, and is used in a variety of alloys. Carbon steel casting materials are used in a range of industries, including mining, military and industrial applications.
Tool steel metal material
Tool steel has high hardness and can maintain high hardness and red hardness at high temperatures, as well as high wear resistance and appropriate toughness. Tool steel is generally divided into carbon tool steel, alloy tool steel, and high-speed tool steel. Tool steel is the steel used to make cutting tools, dies, and wear-resistant tools.
Low-alloy steel
Low alloy steel is relative to carbon steel. On the basis of carbon steel, one or several alloying elements are intentionally added to the steel in order to improve the properties of the steel. It is one of the most commonly used steels in the world. It has a precise chemical composition, provides better mechanical properties and is designed to prevent corrosion.
Nickel-base alloys
Nickel-based alloys refer to a class of alloys that have comprehensive properties such as high strength and certain oxidation and corrosion resistance at high temperatures of 650 to 1000 °C. It is corrosion resistant and can withstand high temperatures. Primarily suitable for demanding applications in the oil and gas, medical, nuclear, and aerospace and defense industries.
Aluminum alloy
Aluminum alloy is the most widely used metal material in investment castings. Aluminum alloy has good casting properties and plastic processing properties, good electrical and thermal conductivity, good corrosion resistance and weldability, and can be used as structural materials. , aviation, transportation, construction, electromechanical, light and daily necessities have a wide range of applications.
Ductile iron
Iron castings, which often include gray iron and ductile iron, are known for their high accuracy and affordable price tag. Ductile iron has high strength, heat resistance, and toughness, but it has a more complex production process than other steels. This leads to a higher production cost than cast steel.
Brass and bronze
Both brass and bronze exhibit excellent machinability and corrosion resistance, are non-sparking, lack magnetism, and provide unique wear characteristics and aesthetics.
Titanium alloy
Titanium alloys refer to a variety of alloyed metals made of titanium and other metals. Titanium is an important structural metal developed in the 1950s. Titanium alloys have high strength, good corrosion resistance and high heat resistance. In the 1950s and 1960s, high-temperature titanium alloys for aero-engines and structural titanium alloys for airframes were mainly developed.
Do You Need Investment Casting Services?
Different metal materials have different properties and uses, so it is important to choose the correct casting material for your application. Besser uses a tightly controlled investment casting process to provide high performance, high quality products. We use ferrous and non-ferrous cast alloys and can handle small and large production runs. We can help you reduce costs and material waste. For more information on material selection, or learn about our investment casting services.