Custom Investment Casting Services
Achieve complex, high-precision parts with shorter lead times. Submit your design for expert process analysis and rapid quoting to receive certified castings in as few as 15 business days.
- Simulation-Driven DFM — optimizes part geometry, prevents defects, and reduces machining costs.
- Precision Tooling — produces intricate features and high-quality surface finishes.
- Material Expertise — specializes in aerospace superalloys and high-performance metals.
- Full Inspection — validates integrity with CMM and X-ray NDT.
- Integrated Services — offers heat treatment and CNC machining for ready-to-use parts.
- Project Management — ensures on-time delivery with proactive scheduling.
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What is Investment Casting?
Investment casting—often called lost-wax casting—is an advanced manufacturing method that produces highly complex, near-net-shape metal components with outstanding dimensional accuracy and excellent surface finishes. The process creates intricate geometries, including internal passages, thin walls, and fine details, that are difficult or impossible to achieve with conventional machining or other casting routes.
At SHBD Metal, we specialize in precision investment casting for high-value industries such as aerospace, medical, defense, and energy. We tackle critical challenges like porosity, shrinkage, and inconsistent material integrity through simulation-driven process design, controlled solidification, and rigorous quality validation—so every component performs reliably under demanding conditions.
Leverage our digital manufacturing platform to streamline prototyping and production. Upload your 3D model to receive an instant quote and a detailed manufacturability analysis—empowering you with cast components that meet the highest standards of precision, quality, and repeatability.
Get Instant QuotePrecision Investment Casting Services
At SHBD Metal, we tailor our investment casting process to your specific requirements for precision, quality, and budget. Our advanced capabilities transform your designs into high-integrity metal parts, delivering exceptional results across industries.
Silica Sol Investment Casting
Our premium silica sol process builds multi-layer ceramic shells for the highest precision and finest surface finishes. Ideal for critical aerospace and medical components with complex geometries and demanding tolerance requirements.
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Sodium Silicate Investment Casting
This efficient water glass process offers excellent cost-effectiveness with fewer shell layers, balancing good precision with high productivity. Widely used for general engineering, hardware, and automotive applications.
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Composite Mold Investment Casting
Our hybrid approach combines silica sol’s superior surface finish with sodium silicate’s structural strength, achieving optimal precision-to-value for demanding industrial components like turbochargers and valve bodies.
Get QuoteInvestment Casting Technical Specifications
At SHBD Metal, we engineer investment casting solutions that directly address your critical challenges: achieving complex geometries with precision, ensuring material integrity for demanding environments, and balancing superior quality with cost-effective production.
| General Core Parameters for Investment Casting | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dimensional Accuracy | CT4 - CT8 |
| Surface Finish | Ra 1.6 - 12.5 µm |
| Min. Wall Thickness | ≥ 0.5 mm |
| Min. Internal Hole | ≥ 1.0 mm |
| Dimensional Tolerance | ±0.02 - ±0.5 mm |
| Weight Range | 0.01 - 100 kg |
| Max. Part Size | ≤ 1500 mm |
| Monthly Capacity | 50 - 10,000 pcs |
Investment Casting Material Performance
| Casting Material | Melting Temp (°C) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Hardness (HB/HV) | Compatible Process | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel (304/316/316L) | 1520-1600 | ≥500 | 150-200 HB | Silica Sol / Composite Mold | Medical Instruments, Petroleum Valves, Precision Machinery |
| High-Temperature Alloy (Inconel 718 / GH4169) | 1400-1450 | ≥900 | 300-380 HV | Silica Sol | Aircraft Engines, Gas Turbines, Turbochargers |
| Titanium Alloy (TC4 / TA15) | 1650-1700 | ≥800 | 300-350 HV | Silica Sol | Aerospace Structures, Medical Implants |
| Carbon/Low-Alloy Steel (45# / 20Cr) | 1500-1550 | ≥400 | 120-180 HB | Sodium Silicate / Composite Mold | Hardware Tools, Construction Machinery, Auto Parts |
| Aluminum Alloy (A356 / A380 / 6061) | 700-750 | ≥250 | 70-100 HB | All Processes | Precision Auto Parts, Electronic Housings, Aerospace Lightweight Structures |
Key Investment Casting Process Comparison
Silica Sol Investment Casting
- Min Wall Thickness≥0.5 mm
- Surface FinishRa 1.6 - Ra 3.2µm
- Dimensional AccuracyCT4 - CT5
- Shell Layers6 - 10 layers
- Production Lead Time7 - 10 days (sample)
Sodium Silicate Investment Casting
- Min Wall Thickness≥2.0 mm
- Surface FinishRa 6.3 - Ra 12.5µm
- Dimensional AccuracyCT6 - CT8
- Shell Layers3 - 5 layers
- Production Lead Time3 - 5 days (sample)
Composite Mold Investment Casting
- Min Wall Thickness≥1.0 mm
- Surface FinishRa 3.2 - Ra 6.3µm
- Dimensional AccuracyCT5 - CT6
- Shell Layers5 - 7 layers
- Production Lead Time5 - 7 days (sample)
How Does the Investment Casting Work
The investment casting process at SHBD Metal is a meticulously controlled sequence engineered for reproducibility and quality. It transforms complex designs into high-integrity metal components for demanding applications across aerospace, medical, and industrial sectors.
Pattern Design & Tooling Fabrication
CAD models are analyzed and optimized for manufacturability. High-precision aluminum injection molds are then machined, capable of producing wax patterns with accuracies within ±0.05mm.
Wax Pattern Injection & Assembly
Automated wax injection ensures consistent, high-quality patterns. These are then carefully assembled onto a central wax gating system (tree), optimizing metal flow for uniform filling and solidification.
Ceramic Shell Building
The assembly undergoes a series of controlled dips in refractory ceramic slurries and stucco coatings. This builds a robust, multi-layered shell (6-10 layers for silica sol, 3-5 for sodium silicate).
Dewaxing & Mold Preparation
The shell is subjected to high-pressure steam or thermal flash to rapidly remove the wax, leaving a pristine, hollow cavity. The shell is then fired at high temperatures (800°C - 1200°C).
Alloy Melting & Controlled Pouring
Certified alloys are melted in controlled atmosphere furnaces to precise temperatures and chemistry. The molten metal is poured into the pre-heated ceramic shell for complete filling and controlled solidification.
Shell Removal & Casting Extraction
After controlled cooling, the spent ceramic shell is mechanically removed. The castings, now in a “tree” formation, are cut off from the main gating system using bandsaws or abrasive cutting.
Finishing & Heat Treatment
Components undergo shot blasting, grinding, and cutoff point removal. Specific alloys receive prescribed heat treatment to achieve required mechanical properties. Precision CNC machining is applied to critical interfaces.
Comprehensive Final Inspection
Every batch undergoes rigorous validation, including dimensional checks via CMM, surface inspection, and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) such as X-ray or dye penetrant to ensure internal integrity and compliance.
Investment Casting with Integrated Post-Casting CNC Machining
SHBD Metal delivers complete casting solutions by integrating precision investment casting with expert post-casting CNC machining. We strategically determine which features to achieve during casting and which critical dimensions to machine afterward, ensuring your components meet the most demanding tolerances while optimizing cost-efficiency and lead time.
Investment Casting Quality Assurance
At SHBD Metal, quality is engineered into every precision investment casting. Our AS9100 and ISO 9001 certified processes ensure component reliability for demanding aerospace, medical, and industrial applications through rigorous quality protocols.
Advanced Inspection Equipment
Our metrology lab features optical emission spectrometers for material verification, CNC CMMs for dimensional accuracy, X-ray systems for internal integrity, and surface testers for finish validation—ensuring every casting meets specifications.
Comprehensive Testing Procedures
Each component undergoes material certification, mechanical testing (tensile, yield, hardness), and non-destructive examination including dye penetrant and leak testing to guarantee performance under operational conditions.
Proven Quality Standards
With over 95% first-article inspection acceptance rate, we provide full dimensional reports and guarantee zero-cost rework, ensuring your project maintains schedule and budget compliance.
Investment Casting for High-Performance Applications
SHBD Metal’s precision investment casting solves complex engineering challenges by producing near-net-shape components with intricate geometries, superior material properties, and exceptional surface finishes.
Advanced Robotics & Automation
Craft precise sensor housings, actuator components, and lightweight structural frames with embedded channels. Achieve the dimensional accuracy, rigidity, and complex internal features required for next-generation automated systems.
Aerospace & Defense Components
Manufacture turbine blades, structural brackets, and engine housings that withstand extreme temperatures and stress. Investment casting enables complex internal cooling channels, high strength-to-weight ratios, and material consistency for flight-critical safety and performance.
Automotive & Mobility Systems
Develop lightweight, high-strength parts for electric vehicle powertrains, turbocharger housings, and advanced braking systems. Investment casting optimizes structural performance and thermal management, supporting efficiency and durability goals.
Energy & Power Generation
Create corrosion-resistant valves, pump housings, and turbine components for oil & gas, nuclear, and renewable energy systems. Our castings ensure long-term integrity in high-pressure, high-temperature, and corrosive environments.
Industrial & Heavy Machinery
Fabricate wear-resistant gears, complex hydraulic valve bodies, and robust machinery components. Our solutions extend service life in abrasive conditions, reduce maintenance intervals, and enhance equipment reliability under continuous heavy loads.
Medical & Surgical Devices
Produce biocompatible implants, surgical instrument prototypes, and dental restoration frameworks. Our process ensures zero porosity, excellent surface finish for reduced bacterial adhesion, and meets strict ISO 13485 standards for patient safety.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Investment Casting
Advantages
- Superior capability for highly complex, near-net-shape geometries
- Excellent as-cast surface finish, minimizing secondary machining
- Wide material versatility, from aluminum to superalloys
- Consistent reproducibility for medium to high-volume production
Disadvantages
- Higher initial tooling cost and lead time for patterns
- Geometric constraints on very large or thick-walled parts
- Less economical for very low-volume runs compared to 3D printing
- Dimensional limitations versus precision machining for simplest forms