Material 17-4: Stainless Steel Castings, Cargo System Component, Aerospace

Material 316: Stainless Steel Alloy Castings, Electrical

Stainless Steel Investment Castings

Stainless steel investment casting, also referred to as precision casting or lost wax casting, is a manufacturing process used to create complex metal parts in a wide range of shapes and sizes. It involves pouring molten stainless steel into a ceramic shell or mold, which is produced by coating a wax pattern with a ceramic material.

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Aero Metals Inc. has extensive experience producing high-volume stainless steel investment castings for a broad range of applications spanning various industries, including aerospace, marine, military, and more. Check out our featured cast parts gallery for prime examples of our stainless steel casting work.

What is Stainless Steel Investment Casting?

After the initial pour and once the ceramic material has solidified around the wax pattern, the wax is melted away, leaving a cavity in the ceramic shell. The molten stainless steel is then poured into this cavity, filling the mold and taking on the shape of the wax pattern. After the metal has cooled and solidified, the ceramic shell is removed, and the finished stainless steel part is cleaned, polished, and inspected for quality.

What are the Advantages of Stainless Steel Investment Casting?

Investment casting is known for producing high-precision parts with excellent surface finish. It is a good choice for applications where precision and aesthetics are essential, such as in the medical, aerospace, and automotive industries. Additional stainless steel benefits include:

• Corrosion resistance
• Impact resistance & strength
• Enhanced aesthetic value
• Cost-effective
• Ultra-hygienic
• Heat resistant
• Precision tolerances

Stainless Steel Investment Casting Material Composition

Stainless steel has a minimum chromium content of 10.5%, making it more resistant to corrosive liquid environments and oxidation. However, this is not absolute. Stainless steel investment castings are &#;corrosion-resistant&#; when used in fluid environments and vapors below °F (650°C) and &#;heat-resistant&#; when used above this temperature.

Stainless Steel Investment Casting Base Alloy Elements

The base alloy elements of any nickel-base or stainless steel casting are chromium, nickel, and molybdenum (or &#;moly&#;). These three components will determine the casting&#;s grain structure and mechanical prosperities and will be instrumental in the casting&#;s ability to combat heat and/or corrosion.

Differences Between Wrought & Cast Stainless Steel

The differences between wrought and cast versions of stainless steel are due to the material&#;s chemical compositions and micro-grain structure, which is affected by how the material is produced, cast, or extruded. These factors must be considered when choosing an alloy for your stainless steel investment casting metal project.

Precision Casting Stainless Steel Alloy Options

Aero Metal&#;s stainless steel investment castings are available in several series grades, including 300, 400, 14-4 PH, 15-5 PH, 17-4 PH, and .

Ferritic &

Martensitic Stainless Steel Grades (400 Series)

400 series stainless steel is a stainless steel alloy similar to 300 stainless steel. The main difference between these alloys and their associated grades is their chemical makeup and components. 400 SS includes both ferritic and martensitic steels. The best alloy for your application depends on the required corrosion resistance, formability, wear, strength, temperature resistance, cost, and additional factors.

400 Series Stainless Steel (ANSI)

Steel Grade

Industry Applications

• 410 (CA15)

• Automotive
• Machine tool
• Food and Dairy
• Petrochemical
• Firearms

• 416 (IC 416)

• 420 (CA40)

• 431 (IC 431)

• 440A (IC 440A)

• 440C (IC 440C)

Precipitation Hardening (PH)

(Martensitic Stainless Steel Grades)

Martensitic steel is a variation of stainless steel known for its high strength, hardness, and wear resistance. Martensitic stainless steel contains 10.5-18% chromium, which increases its corrosion resistance compared to other stainless steel alloys, including the 300 Series and 400 Series.

14-4 PH Series

Alloy Grade

Industry Applications

• AMS

• Military
• Medical
• Machine tool
• Hand Tools
• Aerospace

 

 

15-5 PH Series

Steel Grade Industry Applications

• ASTM A 747 CB 7Cu-2

• Military
• Medical
• Machine tool
• Hand Tools
• Aerospace

• AMS

• ASM

• ASM

• AMS

• AMS

 

17-4 PH Series

Steel Grade Industry Applications

• ASTM A 747 CB 7Cu-1

• Military
• Medical
• Machine tool
• Hand Tools
• Aerospace

• AMS /

• ASM

• ASM

• MIL-S- IC -17-4

Learn more about Aero Metal's Martensitic Stainless Steel Alloys. 

Austenitic and Ferritic (Duplex Stainless Steel Grades)

Austenitic and ferritic stainless steels are highly coveted for their enhanced strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. Austenitic stainless steel contains at least 10.5 percent and 8 to 12 percent nickel, nitrogen, carbon, and many other elements in solution. Chromium gives the steel its high corrosion resistance, while nitrogen acts as a stiffening agent. 

For more Stainless Steel Lost Wax Castinginformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Series

Steel Grade

Industry Applications

• X2CrNiMoN22-5-3

• Chemical processing & storage
• Oil & gas exploration
• Cargo tanks
• Food & dairy
• Marine Accessories

Learn more about Aero Metal's Austenitic Steel Alloys. 

Precision Casting Custom Pour Capabilities

At Aero Metals, we can custom pour any &#;air melted&#; stainless steel alloy to fit your stainless steel investment casting project requirements. If you don&#;t see your alloy of choice listed above, visit our Investment Casting Alloys page for more material options.

Industries that Utilize Stainless Steel Investment Castings

Premium stainless steel investment castings provide increased corrosion resistance, enhanced surface finishes, and improved detailing. Industries that commonly use stainless steel investment castings include:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Food Processing
• Desalination Plants
• Pump Manufacturers
• Machinery Producers
• Medical
• Mining
• Petrochemical
• Agriculture
• Energy

Contact Aero Metals for your Stainless Steel Casting Project Today

Using our on-site spectrometer, Aero Metals can help you find the right alloy to fit your stainless steel casting requirements. This device allows you to produce your own &#;specialty alloy&#; and enables you to change the chemistry to suit your application&#;s environment.

Request a quote today or contact Aero Metals for more information.

 

Have you ever wondered how those shiny, durable stainless steel parts are made? From kitchen appliances to medical equipment, stainless steel is everywhere around us. But what makes it so special? With over 800 years of combined experience, RLM Industries is here to explain the world of stainless steel investment casting and explore how we create these tough, long-lasting components.

What is Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is a type of steel that contains chromium, giving it excellent resistance to corrosion and rust. This makes it perfect for products that need to withstand harsh environments or frequent exposure to moisture. Stainless steel isn&#;t just tough on the outside&#;it&#;s also incredibly strong and durable.

Unlike regular carbon steel, stainless steel contains at least 10.5% chromium by mass. This chromium content allows a thin, invisible layer of oxide to form on the surface, acting as a protective barrier against corrosion and rust. Stainless steel can also be alloyed with other metals like nickel, molybdenum, and manganese to enhance specific properties like strength, heat resistance, or formability for different applications.

With over 150 grades available, each with unique characteristics, stainless steel offers a wide range of options to meet the demanding requirements of various industries. Its low maintenance and long service life make it a popular choice for countless products we use every day.

The Investment Casting Process

How do companies like RLM Industries turn this super-strong material into intricate parts? We use a process called investment casting, also known as lost-wax casting. Here&#;s a quick overview of how it works:

1. First, we create a wax pattern of the part we want to make.
2. Next, the wax pattern is dipped into a ceramic slurry, which hardens into a mold.
3. The wax is then melted out of the mold, leaving a hollow space in the shape of the desired part.
4. Molten stainless steel is poured into the mold, filling the cavity.
5. Once the metal has cooled and solidified, the ceramic mold is broken away, revealing the finished stainless steel part.

This process allows for the creation of incredibly detailed and complex shapes that would be difficult to make using other manufacturing methods.

Benefits of Stainless Steel Investment Casting

So, why choose stainless steel investment casting? Here are a few key benefits:

• Corrosion Resistance: As mentioned earlier, stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and rust, making it ideal for products that will be exposed to moisture, chemicals, or harsh environments.
• High Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Stainless steel is incredibly strong for its weight, which means parts can be made lighter without sacrificing durability.
• Extreme Temperature Tolerance: Stainless steel can withstand extremely high and low temperatures, making it suitable for applications like automotive exhaust systems or cryogenic equipment.
• Precision & Detail: The investment casting process allows for the creation of parts with intricate details and tight tolerances, ensuring a high-quality finished product.

Applications of Stainless Steel Investment Castings

Thanks to its unique properties, stainless steel investment castings are used in a wide range of industries, including:

• Aerospace & Defense: Stainless steel components are used in aircraft, missiles, and other military applications where strength and corrosion resistance are critical.
• Automotive: From exhaust systems to turbochargers, stainless steel castings play a vital role in modern vehicles.
• Medical & Pharmaceutical: Stainless steel&#;s corrosion resistance and biocompatibility are ideal for surgical instruments, implants, and pharmaceutical equipment.
• Food & Beverage: Stainless steel&#;s easy-to-clean surface and resistance to bacteria make it a popular choice for food processing and handling equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stainless Steel Investment Casting

 

What is stainless steel investment casting?

Stainless steel investment casting, also known as lost-wax casting, is a manufacturing process to create intricate and precise metal parts. It involves creating a wax model, coating it with ceramic to form a mold, melting away the wax, and then pouring molten stainless steel into the mold. This process allows for detailed and complex shapes, making it ideal for producing high-quality components.

Which industries commonly use stainless steel castings?

Stainless steel castings are widely used in aerospace and defense, automotive, medical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. For example, in aerospace, they are used for aircraft components, while in the medical field, they are used for surgical instruments and implants. The material&#;s versatility and reliability make it valuable across multiple sectors.

What types of stainless steel are used in investment casting?

Depending on the final product&#;s required properties, various grades of stainless steel are used in investment casting. Common types include austenitic, martensitic, and duplex stainless steel. Each type offers specific benefits, such as enhanced corrosion resistance, increased strength, or improved hardness, tailored to meet the needs of different applications.

RLM Industries: Your Partner in Stainless Steel Investment Casting

At RLM Industries, we&#;re proud to be a leading provider of stainless steel investment casting services. Our team of skilled professionals has decades of experience working with this versatile material. We use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to guarantee the highest quality results.

Whether you need a simple component or a complex assembly, we have the expertise to bring your design to life. We work closely with our clients to understand their unique requirements and provide tailored solutions to meet their needs. If you&#;re looking for a reliable partner for your stainless steel investment casting needs, look no further than RLM Industries. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help bring your project to fruition.

Find Stainless Steel Investment Casting in Oxford, MI at RLM

At RLM Industries, we have over 800 years of combined experience in metal casting. From rapid prototyping to investment casting, our team of professionals can help you with your next project. Contact us online or give us a call at (248) 965- to get started today.

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