Investment Casting with Ductile Iron
Ductile iron is a type of cast iron created by adding magnesium to regular cast iron, which makes it far more formable and ductile. This process has been used to manufacture complex cast parts since the industrial revolution, and investment casting, or lost-wax casting, is a major application of this process. Investment casting is the process of creating parts by pouring molten metal into a ceramic shell coated with a special material designed to protect the metal while it solidifies. The process involves creating a mould, often out of wax or metal, and then dipping it in a special solution that forms a ceramic layer. The metal is then poured into the mould and allowed to cool and solidify before the mould is broken and the component removed.
The advantages of using investment casting with ductile iron for forming complex components is the strength, durability, and corrosion resistance that these components possess. Ductile iron is a very hard metal with a surface that is highly corrosion resistant, and its cast shapes allow for components to be formed with very precise dimensions and tolerances. This makes it ideal for applications where accuracy and strength are of paramount importance, such as valves, pumps, and other components in industrial applications.
Furthermore, ductile iron provides superior formability and machinability, both of which are key characteristics for investment casting applications. Ductile iron also allows for thicker wall sections to be developed, which helps to retain and dissipate heat more effectively in high temperature applications. The mould also provides extra protection to the component from the environment and is much harder to wear out than other moulds and processes, which makes it particularly useful for industrial applications.
In summary, investment casting with ductile iron provides superior strength, formability, and corrosion resistance and is ideal for forming complex components quickly and with a very high degree of accuracy. It is also extremely cost effective, particularly in comparison to other forming processes for complex components, and the fact that it is highly resistant to corrosion and wear makes it an excellent choice for a wide range of high-performance applications.
