Silicon-sol investment casting
Silicon-sol investment casting, explained step by step
This page sets out how our lost-wax process works, from tooling and wax assembly to shell building, dewaxing and pouring, and where it fits your component requirements.
The process
From tooling to pouring
01
Tooling and wax patterns
Dies are prepared and wax patterns are produced to match the drawing geometry, forming the basis of every casting.
02
Wax assembly
Patterns are assembled onto a gating system so metal can flow evenly into each cavity during pouring.
03
Shell building and dewaxing
Refractory slurry bonded with silica sol is applied in layers, then the wax is removed to leave a clean mold cavity.
04
Pouring and finishing
Molten metal is poured into the preheated shell, after which castings are cooled, released and cleaned for inspection.
Why silica sol
Binder choice shapes the finished casting
Silica sol slurries build a refractory shell with strong green and fired strength, which supports the fine detail and thin sections that complex geometry demands.
The resulting surface finish is smoother than many alternative binder systems, which can reduce the amount of machining needed to reach final dimensions.
What this means for your parts
Intricate internal passageways, tight tolerances and thin walls are achievable with the lost-wax method, and reduced machining allowances shorten downstream cycles and limit material loss.