Investment Casting VS Die Casting

Investment Casting VS Die 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

Investment casting is a precision casting process using lost wax method to make components in metal cast alloys. Investment casting manufacturers use a product wax pattern to make a mold. Then they dip the wax pattern into a refractory slurry. To made of materials like plaster of silica or sillimanite and silica to form the mold. After dipping the wax into the slurry, manufacturers heat the pattern to melt and remove the wax. After harden the slurry binders. They then pour molten metal into the mold and allow it to cool. The mold or pattern of investment casting is made by aluminum. Then dipping the tree assembly into refractory slurry to form a ceramic shell. Finally pouring molten metal into the shell by spruce gate and cooling for solid casting blanks.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Investment Casting 

Advantages of Investment casting	Disadvantages of Investment casting
Cast ferrous and non-ferrous materials	Expensive Cost than sand casting
Smooth surface finishes,reducing machining and finishing	Longer Lead time
Investment casting in thin walled parts with complex shapes
Very accurate,Create products with precise dimensions even net shape

Die Casting

　　Die casting is a metal casting process. It is characterized by the use of a mold cavity to apply high pressure to the molten metal.Molds are usually machined from higher strength alloys. Some of which are similar to injection molding.Most die castings are iron-free. For example: zinc, copper, aluminum, magnesium, lead, tin, and lead-tin alloys and alloys.As per the type of die casting, a cold chamber die casting machine or a hot chamber die casting machine is required.Casting equipment and molds cost are expensive. So the die casting process is generally only used to mass produce a large number of products.It is easy to make die-cast parts. This requires only four main steps, and the cost per item is very low.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Die Casting 

Advantages of Die Casting	Disadvantages of Die Casting
Good product quality	Castings are prone to generate air holes and cannot be heat treated
High productivity	Die casting is difficult for complex concave castings
Excellent economic effect	High melting point alloys (such as copper, ferrous metals), die casting type has a shorter life
	Not suitable for small batch production. Because of high manufacturing cost

The Differences between Investment Casting and Die Casting

　　Investment Casting is a metal thermal processing process. Die casting is one of them. The main differences between of them are as follows:

　　1–Definition is different

　　Casting is a metal thermal processing process in which a liquid metal is cast into a casting cavity adapted to the shape of the part. And after cooling and solidifying, a method of obtaining a part or a blank.Die casting is a metal casting process. It is a precision casting method that uses high pressure to force the metal to be hydraulically poured into a complex metal mold.

　　2–Range is different

　　Casting mainly includes sand casting and special casting. Sand casting includes wet sand type, dry sand type and chemical hardening sand type. Special casting includes investment casting, metal casting, pressure casting, low pressure casting, centrifugal casting, etc. Die casting is only pressure casting.

　　3–Characteristics is different

　　A common feature of casting is heat treatment. The high pressure and high speed filling die casting is the two characteristics of die casting.

　　4 — Cost is different:

Investment casting is a manual process that produces excellent dimensions and good surface finish. So it seems to be a costly casting method. Investment casting is also the most likely technique to reduce or avoid secondary processing.It can reduce time and money. Die casting costs are higher because of its high processing costs and sometimes even post-processing operations on finished parts. So, for a large number of orders, die casting is more cost effective.

　　5–Surface treatment is different:

In all casting techniques, the surface finish of investment casting is always the best. Although die casting produces a good surface finish, more processing is often required to bring the product to its final state. But, we can improve the surface finish of investment casting and die casting through secondary processing and other surface treatment methods.

So depends on your requirements of products,you can choose the nest casting method. If the material is steel or iron,small product with complex shape,Investment casting is the best choice. If huge quantity, and the material is aluminum or zinc, the die casting will be your right option.If you have any inquiry about Investment Casting and Die Casting,leave a message,you will get an immediately reply.