Do you know water glass investment casting?

Water glass investment casting, also known as sodium silicate investment casting, is a casting process that involves creating a mold by coating a wax pattern with a ceramic slurry made from water glass and refractory materials. The mold is then fired to remove the wax and harden the ceramic shell, leaving a cavity that can be filled with molten metal.

The water glass investment casting process begins with the creation of a wax pattern. The pattern is then dipped into a water glass solution, which causes the solution to adhere to the wax surface. The coated pattern is then coated in a ceramic slurry, consisting of a mixture of refractory materials and water glass. This is repeated several times, building up the shell thickness to the desired dimension.

Once the ceramic shell is hardened, the wax is melted out of the mold, which is then fired to remove any remaining wax residue and strengthen the ceramic shell. The mold is then ready for casting.

Molten metal is poured into the mold, which fills the cavity created by the wax pattern. Once the metal cools and solidifies, the ceramic shell is broken away to reveal the finished casting.

Water glass investment casting is well-suited for casting complex shapes with fine detail, as well as for producing multiple parts in a single mold. It is often used to produce small to medium-sized parts in a variety of materials, including aluminum, brass, and stainless steel.

One of the main advantages of water glass investment casting is that it produces parts with a very smooth surface finish and high dimensional accuracy. It is also a cost-effective alternative to other casting methods, such as sand casting or die casting, for small production runs.

However, water glass investment casting does have some limitations. It is not well-suited for producing large parts or parts with thick sections, and it may not be the best option for parts that require high strength or durability.

Overall, water glass investment casting is a versatile casting process that can be used to produce a wide range of parts with excellent surface finish and dimensional accuracy.