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Investment Casting VS Die Casting

time2020/04/15

What is the difference between die casting and investment casting?
What is the difference between die casting and investment casting?
Investment casting and die casting are the two major types of casting. Investment casting methods is injects wax into an aluminum cavity. Die casting is the process in which molten metal is forced into a mold cavity with high pressure. Each of the casting method has their own advantages and disadvantages.They are used to make different kinds of products.So how to compares investment casting with die casting or which one is better for your choosing?


Investment casting (also called "lost wax" or "precision" casting) is a manufacturing process in which a wax pattern is created, gated onto a sprue and repeatedly dipped into a liquid ceramic slurry. Once the ceramic material hardens, its internal geometry takes the shape of the casting. The wax is melted out, and molten metal is poured into the cavity where the wax pattern was. The metal solidifies within the ceramic mold, and then the metal casting is broken out (source).

Die casting is a manufacturing process for producing metal parts by forcing molten metal under high pressure into a die cavity. These die or mold cavities are typically created with hardened tool steel that has been previously machined to the net shape of the die cast parts (source).


Which Process is Right for Your Project?
Rather than pit these two processes against one another, we'll simply run through some key considerations when it comes to settling on a casting process. Keep in mind that there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Each product, project and company are different. Review the 7 considerations below to decide whether investment casting (IC) or die casting (DC) fits the bill.

1. Design Complexity
How complex is your design geometry? This will play a major part in selecting the right process. IC offers great design flexibility since you can cast intricate shapes and easily incorporate design features, such as logos and other information, into the component. You can also achieve precise dimensional results, complex geometries and thin-walled parts. DC offers good dimensional results but cannot produce the level of intricacy that IC can.


2. Material Selection
A wide range of alloys (including both ferrous and non-ferrous metals) can be used in IC, offering greater material options than DC. This allows for casting alloys that might be challenging to machine. Most DC are made from non-ferrous metals like zinc, copper, aluminium, magnesium, lead, pewter and tin-based alloys.


3. Annual Usage
One of the biggest misconceptions about IC is that it only makes sense for large order quantities. While you can opt for IC for smaller production runs, the final call usually comes down to tooling costs. Start by deciding your desired payback period for the tool and crunch some numbers to see if IC is actually the best option. DC is ideal for large production runs and high-volume projects since it produces excellent consistency and repeatability but comes with a higher tooling price tag.


4. Part Size
 IC can accommodate parts from an ounce up to about 200 pounds. There is some limitation to the size of parts that can be investment cast simply because the wax pattern must be securely gated to a sprue for repeated dipping in the ceramic slurry. DC also comes with its own size limitations, but they tend to be less restrictive than IC; however, the larger the part, the larger the tool, the larger the tooling cost.


5. Tolerance
 IC can really deliver on tight tolerances, while DC produces good tolerances. As a general rule, the smaller the casting, the greater the dimensional accuracy. Very large investment castings might lose some dimensional accuracy, so DC could be a better option for large-scale pieces.


6. Cost
IC ordinarily costs more than DC because it's a highly manual process that produces superior dimensionality and excellent surface finishes. But the final cost truly comes down to tooling. IC can be designed for minimal machining, reducing both time and cost. DC comes with higher tooling costs and typically requires at least some secondary machining to properly finish the product. For these reasons, DC is most cost-efficient for high-volume runs.


7. Finish Requirements
 The surface finish of IC is superior to other casting methods, reducing the need for excessive secondary machining. A 125 micro finish is standard, and better finishes can be achieved with the help of other finishing techniques like polishing or blasting. While DC produces good surface finish, more machining is usually needed to get the product to its final state.


Hopefully this information will assist you in choosing the right casting process for your upcoming metal project. .If you have any inquiry about Investment Casting and Die Casting,leave a message,you will get an immediately reply.