P. H.

O
MRC SMME NUST
INVESTMENT CASTING PRACTICE

Ref: Advance Workshop Practice Level: UG Mode: Practical

Time: 06 Hours Course: ME-223 Semester: 4th

TITLE
1. Investment Casting Procedure.

Introduction
2. General casting through conventional means involves sand moulds made through patterns of softer
materials like wood, fiber etc. The quality of the casting depends upon the quality of the mould including the
quality and grade of the sand. It has many factors to take care off hence post casting operation become
necessary in sand casting, like machining, filing etc. This involves time and material.

3. One of the relatively modern way of casting is called “Investment Casting” in which sand moulds are not
used. In fact multiple molds in the form of a tree created are to pour metal and achieve high, almost final finish
of the product and in large numbers. This method is used for parts where high quality casting finishing required.

4. These molds are created through wax or plastic patterns impregnated with high temperature resistant
coating. This coating is applied by methods like dipping in slurry and sprinkling of quartz sand, followed by drying
and de-waxing. After de-waxing mould is baked and pre-heated before pouring of metal is carried out into the
mould.

Objective

4. To learn primary steps involved in Investment Casting Procedures.

Procedure
6. Following procedure will be adopted for manufacturing of the product as per drawing attached.
Phase – I Phase-II
a. Die for Pattern Making a. De-Waxing Process for the moulds
for exit of the wax (150 – 200oC).
b. Wax-preparation b. Mould’s Baking for 4 hrs at high
temperature (800oC).
c. Making a Wax Pattern in the Die c. Mould’s Pre-heating on 800 ˚C for 4 hrs
d. Tree Soldering (Patterns on a common stem) d. Pouring of molten metal through
preferably Induction furnace.
e. Slurry Making and Stucco Coating in several e. Coating of the mould and breaking
steps. the shell.
f. Sprinkling of Quartz Sand f. Inspection of final product
retrieved.

Safety Precautions
7. Following safety precautions are to be adhered to:

a. Don’t use down gravity slurry (1.63 – 1.69) Specific Gravity

b. Give proper time to drying before next coating.

c. Avoid over heating during de-waxing process limit temperature to 150 – 200 oC.

d. Always use safety jackets for pre-heating the empty shells.

Instructions:
8. Students must prepare a report (Practical Notebook) on the quality of product made through
investment casting as compared to sand casting.