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What Are Common Investment Casting Applications?

15.02.2023
Bescast User

Investment casting is a versatile manufacturing process that has a role in a wide array of industries. While aerospace investment casting is well-known, investment casting applications are far more vast and diverse. From medical to energy to automotive, there's hardly an industry that doesn't employ this process.

This article will explore the remarkable versatility of investment casting. We'll discuss what materials are well-suited to the process and what investment casting is used for.

Article Contents

investment casting applications

Appropriate Materials for Investment Casting Applications

The sky's the limit for investment casting applications when combined with the unique properties of stainless steel, cobalt alloys and nickel-based alloys. These materials bring a range of advantages to the table, making them invaluable for various applications of investment casting.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel stands as a highly versatile material that has revolutionized the world of investment casting. It is an invaluable asset in applications ranging from aerospace to power generation because of its:

  • Corrosion resistance
  • Strength and toughness
  • Temperature resistance
  • Versatility
  • Aesthetic appeal

Cobal Alloys

Cobalt alloys have found a use in a broad array of investment casting applications, thanks to their:

  • High-temperature strength
  • Wear and corrosion resistance
  • High strength-to-weight ratio

Cobalt alloys lend themselves well to the precise and complex geometries produced by investment casting. These materials' excellent castability and flow characteristics enable the production of detailed, near-net-shape parts with intricate features, thin walls and fine details.

Nickel-Based Alloys

Nickel-based alloys are the material of choice for a variety of investment casting applications due to their:

  • High-temperature strength
  • Corrosion resistance
  • Wear resistance
  • Cryogenic stability
  • Fatigue and creep resistance

The Wide World of
Investment Casting Applications

The applications of investment casting are nearly endless. If a part requires complex geometries, a near-net shape and superior surface quality, it's likely an application for investment casting.

We'll start with aerospace investment casting and aviation investment casting; then we'll look at other critical applications for this versatile process.

investment casting applications

Aerospace and Aviation

Investment casting's precision and consistency make it a frequent choice for aerospace castings and aircraft components, such as:

  • Engine parts

  • Air and fuel system parts

  • Hydraulic system parts

  • Environment control system components

  • Landing control system units

  • Interface controls for operators

  • Internal mechanical parts

  • Cabin control system parts

Automotive

Automotive applications for investment casting range from everyday cars to construction vehicles, tractors and agricultural machinery. Investment casting is used for an array of automotive parts, including:

  • Gears

  • Transmission parts

  • Brakes

  • Engine parts

  • Brackets

  • Housings

  • Rods

  • Door handles

Investment casting also plays a crucial role in new energy and electric vehicles, creating components such as:

  • Battery cases
  • On-board chargers
  • DC-AC converter enclosures

Dairy and Food

Investment casting applications in the dairy and food industries run the gamut, including components for:

  • Commercial dishwashers
  • Meat slicers
  • Ice cube machines
  • Candy and chocolate producing equipment
  • Coffee makers
  • Poultry processing

Firearms

The firearms industry relies on investment casting for precision parts like:

  • Receivers

  • Triggers

  • Hammers

Marine

You can find investment castings in various marine applications, such as:

  • Pumps

  • Deck hardware

  • Bearing housings

  • Boat hardware like cleats and handles 

  • Enclosures for marine electronics

  • Engine components

  • Seal housings

  • Seal rings

Medical

The medical industry employs investment casting for a broad array of applications inside and outside the body. Examples include:

  • Knee implants
  • Surgical instruments
  • Patella sizers
  • Dental tools
  • Shoulder, elbow and wrist implants
  • Injury stabilizing devices

Military

Investment casting is used for precision military components in applications like:

  • Communication equipment
  • Bomb racks
  • Weapon handling
  • Missiles
  • Mobile missile launchers
  • Rockets

Power Generation

Power generation industries, including petroleum, natural gas, wind and nuclear energy, find uses for investment casting, such as:

  • Clamps
  • Water main plug stop valves
  • Auger teeth
  • Flow control valves
  • Rock ripper shank plates
  • Meter housings
  • Butterfly valves
  • Backflow preventer valves
  • Gas regulators

Trust Your Investment Casting Applications to Bescast

Bescast's capabilities extend far beyond aerospace applications, including the industrial gas turbine and gas compression markets and a broad array of other investment casting applications. We also offer rapid prototyping for prototype part production, as well as the engineering and design assistance you need to get the most out of your investment cast parts. Bescast is ISO 9002 and AS9000 certified and provides a full range of customer advantages. Contact us today to see how we can optimize your investment casting application.

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