We know there are many customers from all over the world bought metal casting products from Chinese suppliers, but very few of them understand or beware of
- How their suppliers made those casting products?
- How many types of casting process the Chinese can choose from?
- What is different between them?
Today, we like to share an insight of Chinese investment casting process (part 1) with you and hope you can leave a comment or question, so we can discuss it and help you to understand your supplier better.
First of all, it is called Chinese style investment casting (L-W). It applied low-temperature-melted industrial waxes with water-glass. We believe there is no such method in the western world. The method is used to produce carbon steel parts such as valve body. Also, it is to replace another traditional casting solution – sand casting- which normally makes small objects. L-W normally produce part weights between 5kg – 100kg.
Secondly, it is medium-temperature-melted industrial maxes applied with silica sol (M-S). M-S is suited for stainless steel and some other special material. And is used to produce parts with high accuracy requirement and better surface finishing such as internal valve parts. The part weights between 100g-20kg. It cost higher than (L-W)
Last but not least, it is low-temperature-melted industrial waxes with silica sol (L-S). L-S is used to produce stainless steel parts with big sizes, such as valve body. The cost is between L-W and M-W.
Lost-wax casting / Investment casting process in China
| Solution | L-W | M-S | L-S |
| Waxes melt temperature | Low (≈58℃) | Medium (≥70℃) | Low (≈58℃) |
| Binder | Water glass | Silica sol | Silica sol |
| Investment surface | Good*** | Best | Better |
| Suit material | carbon steel | stainless steel & special material | stainless steel |
| Parts weight | 5kg-100kg | 100g-20kg | 20kg-100kg |
| Sample | Valve body | Valve parts | Valve body |
| Cost | Low | High | Medium |
*** better than sand casting