Get strong, lightweight aluminum parts investment cast to your exact specifications. Our process delivers highly accurate aluminum components with excellent surface finish, ideal for prototypes or end-use production.
A380, A383, A360 are popular aluminum alloys for investment casting due to their corrosion resistance, fluidity, and strength at elevated temperatures. We can advise on the optimal aluminum grade for your application based on factors like ductility, machinability, expected operating conditions and required mechanical properties.
| Guideline | Description |
| Parting Line | Determine parting line for mold separation. |
| Wall Thickness | Maintain uniform thickness for proper solidification. |
| Fillets and Radii | Add fillets for stress reduction and smooth flow. |
| Undercuts | Minimize undercuts for easy mold withdrawal. |
| Tolerances | Specify tolerances considering casting shrinkage. |
| Pattern Consideration | Design intricate patterns with consideration for removal. |
| Material Selection | Choose alloys based on mechanical and chemical properties. |
| Surface Finish | Indicate desired finish for aesthetics and function. |
| Gates and Runners | Design proper gating for smooth metal flow. |
| Part Orientation | Optimize orientation to minimize defects and machining. |
| Cores and Cavities | Use cores for internal features, account for mold removal. |
| Property | Alloy 380 | Alloy 383 | Alloy 360 | Alloy 413 | Alloy 390 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 324 | 303 | 221 | 275 | 290 |
| Yield Strength (MPa) | 193 | 186 | 159 | 138 | 165 |
| Elongation (%) | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 80 | 80 | 70 | 80 | 90 |
| Density (g/cm³) | 2.71 | 2.71 | 2.68 | 2.74 | 2.74 |
| Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good | Good | Good | Good | Very Good |
| Machinability | Good | Good | Excellent | Fair | Good |
| Wear Resistance | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Good | Very Good |
| Castability | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Application | General | High Pressure | Electrical | Engine | Wear-Resistant |
Investment casting enables production of intricate, high-precision metal parts for critical applications in aerospace, medical, automotive, defense, and jewelry industries. The lost-wax process offers component complexity, dimensional accuracy, and surface finishes unachievable by other methods.
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