At ICAST ALLOYS LLP, we specialize in the "lost wax" or investment casting process—a manufacturing technique renowned for producing components with exceptional dimensional accuracy, intricate detail, and superior surface finishes.
While the technology is centuries old, we have refined it into a high-precision industrial science to meet the rigorous demands of modern engineering.
Investment casting involves "investing" (surrounding) a wax pattern with a refractory ceramic material. Once the ceramic shell hardens, the wax is melted out, leaving a precise cavity that is filled with molten metal.
This process is preferred when parts require complex geometries, thin walls, or alloys that are difficult to machine.
Our facility follows a stringent multi-stage process to ensure every casting meets international quality standards:
Pattern Creation: We inject high-quality wax into a precision-engineered metal die to create a replica of the final part.
Tree Assembly: Multiple wax patterns are attached to a central wax "sprue" to form a cluster, allowing us to cast several parts simultaneously for efficiency.
Shell Building: The assembly is dipped into a high-grade ceramic slurry and coated with fine stuccos. This process is repeated several times to build a robust ceramic mold.
Dewaxing: The molds are placed in an autoclave where the wax is melted out, leaving a hollow ceramic shell.
Pouring: The shell is preheated and filled with molten metal (stainless steel, carbon steel, or specialized alloys) under controlled temperatures.
Knock-out & Finishing: Once cooled, the ceramic shell is broken away. The parts are cut from the sprue, heat-treated if necessary, and finished through shot blasting or grinding.
By choosing our investment casting services, you benefit from:
Design Freedom: We can produce complex shapes that are impossible or too expensive to create via CNC machining or sand casting.
Material Versatility: We work with a wide array of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys tailored to your specific application.
Reduced Waste: The high precision of our molds means "near-net-shape" production, significantly reducing the need for secondary machining and material scrap.
Superior Surface Finish: Our process achieves a smooth surface (typically 3.2 to 6.3 microns Ra), enhancing both aesthetics and performance.
From Valve & Pump components to Automotive, Aerospace, and General Engineering, ICAST ALLOYS LLP delivers components that withstand the toughest environments.
