Aluminum Investment Casting
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.
Investment Casting Aluminum Grade
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.
Aluminum Investment Casting Design Guidelines
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.
Compare Material Properties of Aluminum Investment Casting
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
Aluminum Investment Casting Applications
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.
