Frequently Asked Questions

Investment casting, also known as lost-wax casting, is a precision manufacturing process that uses a wax pattern to create a ceramic mold. The wax is melted out (lost), and molten metal is poured into the cavity. This process produces near-net-shape components with excellent dimensional accuracy (±0.05mm), superior surface finish (Ra 1.6-3.2μm), and the ability to cast complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible with other methods.

Investment casting is ideal for small to medium-sized components requiring high precision, complex internal passages, thin walls, and excellent surface quality. It is widely used in aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, and industrial applications.

Investment casting offers several key advantages:

• Exceptional dimensional accuracy: Tolerances as tight as ±0.05mm, reducing or eliminating secondary machining
• Superior surface finish: Ra 1.6-3.2μm as-cast, much smoother than sand casting
• Complex geometries: Can produce intricate shapes, internal passages, thin walls (down to 0.5mm), and undercuts
• Wide material range: Works with virtually any castable alloy including stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, copper alloys, nickel-based superalloys, and titanium
• No draft angles required: Unlike die casting, investment casting can produce parts with zero draft
• Design flexibility: Easy to modify designs without expensive tooling changes
• Low tooling cost for low volumes: Ideal for prototype to medium production runs

Investment casting is versatile and can produce components across a wide range of sizes:

• Weight range: From a few grams (small fittings, hardware) up to approximately 50-80 kg per casting (larger parts possible with special handling)
• Size range: From 10mm tiny components up to approximately 600-800mm in overall dimensions
• Wall thickness: Minimum 0.5mm (typical 1.5-3mm), with no upper limit
• Production volume: From single prototypes to tens of thousands of pieces per year

For very large or heavy components, we may recommend alternative processes such as sand casting. Our engineering team will advise the best process for your specific part.

Yes, absolutely! We can work from various input formats:

• 2D drawings: PDF, DWG, DXF with dimensions and tolerances
• 3D models: STEP, IGES, STL, Parasolid, SolidWorks, CATIA, Pro/E
• Physical samples: We can reverse-engineer from your sample using 3D scanning and CMM measurement
• Sketches or concepts: Our engineering team can help develop your concept into a manufacturable design

All custom castings are manufactured exclusively to customer drawings and specifications. We do not sell standard catalog parts — every component is made to your exact requirements.

We cast a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, including but not limited to:

• Stainless Steel: CF8M (316), CF8 (304), CF3M (316L), CF3 (304L), CF8C, 17-4PH, 2205 Duplex, 2507 Super Duplex
• Carbon & Low Alloy Steel: WCB, WCC, LCC, LC2, WC6, WC9, C5, C12A, 4130, 4140, 42CrMo
• Heat Resistant Alloys: HK30, HU31, HF, HH, 310S, 309S, Incoloy 800H
• Nickel-Based Alloys: Hastelloy C276, Inconel 625, Inconel 718, Monel 400
• Copper Alloys: C95400 Aluminum Bronze, C93200 Bearing Bronze, C83600 Leaded Red Brass, Tin Bronze, Silicon Bronze
• Tool Steel: H13, P20, S7, D2

Note: We do not cast gray iron, ductile iron, or other cast iron materials. Our focus is on precision investment casting of steel, stainless steel, and non-ferrous alloys.

If you require a material not listed, please contact us — we can source and cast most commercially available castable alloys.

We maintain strict material control and full traceability throughout the production process:

• Certified raw materials: All metal is sourced from certified mills with material test certificates
• Spectrometer analysis: Every heat (melt) is analyzed using optical emission spectrometry to verify chemical composition meets specification
• Heat number traceability: Each casting is traceable to its specific heat number, with records retained for a minimum of 5 years
• Material Test Certificates: We provide EN 10204 3.1 certificates upon request, including chemical composition and mechanical properties
• Mechanical testing: Tensile bars are cast from the same heat and tested for yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, elongation, and hardness
• Positive material identification (PMI): Available upon request for critical applications

Yes. We can produce components in different materials within the same order, as long as each material has sufficient volume for a production heat (typically 50-200kg per melt depending on the alloy). Different materials are cast in separate heats and clearly identified throughout the process to prevent mix-ups.

For small quantities of multiple materials, we may suggest consolidating to fewer materials to optimize cost and lead time. Our team will advise the most economical approach.

The investment casting process involves these key steps:

1. Tooling & Pattern Making: Aluminum or 3D-printed dies are used to inject wax patterns identical to the final part
2. Assembly: Wax patterns are assembled onto a sprue (gating system) to form a "tree"
3. Shell Building: The tree is repeatedly dipped in ceramic slurry and coated with refractory sand (6-8 layers) to build a strong mold
4. Dewaxing: The ceramic shell is placed in an autoclave where steam melts and removes the wax
5. Preheating: The empty shell is heated to 1000-1100°C to remove moisture and strengthen the mold
6. Pouring: Molten metal is poured into the preheated shell (gravity, vacuum, or pressure pouring depending on alloy)
7. Cooling & Knockout: After solidification, the ceramic shell is removed by vibration and blasting
8. Cutting & Grinding: Parts are cut from the sprue and gates are ground smooth
9. Heat Treatment: Solution annealing, quenching, tempering, or aging as required by material specification
10. Machining: CNC turning, milling, drilling, tapping to achieve final dimensions
11. Inspection & Testing: Dimensional, visual, NDT, and material verification
12. Surface Treatment & Packaging: Sandblasting, polishing, coating, and protective packaging

We maintain rigorous quality management systems and hold the following certifications:

• ISO 9001:2015 — Quality management system certification
• Material Test Certificates — EN 10204 3.1 certificates available for all orders
• Customer-specific approvals — We have been approved by numerous OEMs in valve, pump, automotive, and aerospace industries

Our quality control procedures comply with international standards including ASTM, ASME, API, DIN, EN, and JIS. We can accommodate customer-specific quality requirements and inspection protocols.

For customers requiring third-party inspection, we work with reputable agencies such as SGS, BV, TUV, and Intertek.

We offer a comprehensive range of non-destructive testing methods:

• Radiographic Testing (RT/X-ray): Detects internal voids, inclusions, and shrinkage defects per ASTM E446, E186, E280
• Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT): Detects surface-breaking cracks and porosity per ASTM E165, E1417
• Ultrasonic Testing (UT): Detects internal defects and measures wall thickness per ASTM E164, E2375
• Magnetic Particle Testing (MT): Detects surface and near-surface defects in ferromagnetic materials per ASTM E1444, E709
• Visual Inspection (VT): 100% visual inspection per ASTM E1312, with surface finish comparison
• Dimensional Inspection: CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) inspection of critical dimensions with full inspection reports
• Pressure Testing: Hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure testing for valve and pressure-containing components

NDT is performed by certified inspectors (Level II/III) and documented with detailed reports. We can accommodate customer-specified acceptance criteria and inspection frequencies.

Dimensional Tolerances (as-cast):

• General tolerance: ±0.1mm per 25mm (per ISO 8062 Grade CT5-CT6)
• Critical dimensions: ±0.05mm achievable with process control
• Linear dimensions up to 50mm: ±0.10mm
• Linear dimensions 50-150mm: ±0.15mm
• Linear dimensions 150-300mm: ±0.25mm
• Angular tolerance: ±0.5°

Surface Finish (as-cast):

• Standard: Ra 3.2-6.3μm (125-250 μin)
• Improved: Ra 1.6-3.2μm (63-125 μin) with premium shell system
• Machined surfaces: Ra 0.8-1.6μm (32-63 μin)
• Polished surfaces: Ra 0.2-0.8μm (8-32 μin)

Tighter tolerances and finer surface finishes can be achieved through secondary CNC machining and surface treatment. Our engineering team will recommend the optimal approach for your specific requirements.

Lead times vary depending on part complexity, material, quantity, and required secondary operations. Typical lead times are:

• Quotation: Within 12-24 hours of receiving drawings/specifications
• Tooling (wax injection dies): 10-20 working days for aluminum tooling
• Prototype samples (3D printed patterns): 7-15 working days (no tooling required)
• First article samples (with tooling): 20-30 working days after tooling completion
• Production order (repeat parts): 25-40 working days
• Expedited service: Available for urgent orders (additional charges may apply)

Lead times are counted from receipt of approved drawings, deposit payment, and all necessary specifications. Complex parts, special materials, or extensive NDT requirements may require additional time.

We maintain buffer capacity for repeat customers and can often accommodate expedited delivery schedules.

We do not have a strict minimum order quantity. We accept orders ranging from single prototype pieces to large production runs. However, the economics of investment casting mean that per-unit costs decrease significantly with higher volumes due to tooling amortization and production efficiency.

• Prototypes: 1-10 pieces — ideal for design validation and testing
• Low volume: 10-100 pieces — suitable for niche products and spare parts
• Medium volume: 100-1000 pieces — typical for industrial equipment
• High volume: 1000+ pieces — best value for mass-produced components

For very small orders (1-5 pieces), we may recommend 3D-printed wax patterns to avoid tooling costs. Our team will always recommend the most cost-effective approach based on your quantity and timeline.

Requesting a quotation is simple. Please provide the following information:

1. Drawings or 3D models: 2D PDF/DWG with dimensions, or 3D STEP/IGES/STL files
2. Material specification: Grade and standard (e.g., CF8M per ASTM A351)
3. Quantity: Annual usage or specific order quantity
4. Required operations: As-cast only, or with CNC machining, heat treatment, NDT, surface coating
5. Special requirements: Certificates, inspection criteria, packaging, delivery terms
6. Target price or budget (optional, but helpful for optimization suggestions)

Send your inquiry to:

• 📧 Email: [email protected]
• 📱 WhatsApp: +86 138 6147 8831
• 📝 Online form: Contact Us page

We respond to all inquiries within 12 business hours with a detailed quotation including pricing, lead time, and manufacturing recommendations.

We offer flexible payment terms to accommodate different customer needs:

• New customers / first order: 50% deposit with order, 50% balance before shipment (or against copy of B/L for sea freight)
• Established customers: 30% deposit, 70% balance before shipment
• Long-term partners: Net 30 or Net 60 days terms available after credit evaluation
• Prototype orders: 100% payment in advance

Accepted payment methods:

• Bank Wire Transfer (T/T) — preferred
• Letter of Credit (L/C) — for orders over USD 10,000
• PayPal — for small prototype orders
• Western Union — for small amounts

All prices are quoted in USD unless otherwise specified. We can also quote in EUR, GBP, or other currencies upon request.

Tooling costs for investment casting are significantly lower than die casting or forging tooling:

• Aluminum wax injection dies: USD 300 - 2,500 depending on part size and complexity
• Simple parts (small, no slides): USD 300 - 800
• Medium complexity (with slides/cores): USD 800 - 1,500
• Complex parts (multiple slides, large size): USD 1,500 - 2,500
• Tooling lead time: 10-20 working days

Tooling is a one-time cost and is owned by the customer after full payment. We maintain tooling for repeat orders at no additional storage fee. Tooling typically has a lifespan of 50,000-100,000 injections before requiring maintenance or replacement.

For prototype orders, we can use 3D-printed wax patterns (SLA) with no tooling cost, reducing prototype lead time to 7-15 days.

Yes! Our experienced engineering team provides free design for manufacturability (DFM) analysis for every inquiry. We review your design and provide recommendations to:

• Optimize wall thickness: Ensure uniform thickness to minimize shrinkage and distortion
• Add appropriate fillets and radii: Sharp corners cause stress concentrations and filling defects
• Simplify complex geometries: Identify features that can be simplified to reduce cost without affecting function
• Optimize gating and feeding: Design proper riser and gate locations for sound castings
• Reduce machining requirements: Achieve more dimensions as-cast to reduce secondary operations
• Improve surface finish: Orient parts in the mold to minimize surface defects
• Material selection guidance: Recommend cost-effective materials that meet performance requirements

Our DFM analysis includes a detailed report with 3D model annotations, cross-section views, and specific recommendations. We work collaboratively with your engineering team to achieve the optimal balance of performance, quality, and cost.

Investment casting and die casting are both precision casting processes, but they have key differences:

Investment casting is the preferred choice for steel and high-performance alloy components, complex geometries, and low-to-medium production volumes. Die casting is more economical for high-volume aluminum/zinc parts with simple geometry.

We offer flexible shipping options to meet your timeline and budget:

• Express (Air): DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT — 3-7 business days, ideal for samples and small urgent orders
• Air Freight: Airport-to-airport — 5-10 business days, suitable for medium shipments
• Sea Freight (FCL/LCL): Port-to-port — 20-40 days depending on destination, most economical for large orders
• Door-to-door delivery: Available with customs clearance to most countries

Incoterms: We can quote on EXW, FOB Shanghai/Ningbo, CIF, CFR, DAP, or DDP terms.

All shipments are carefully packaged with:

• Anti-corrosion treatment (vapor corrosion inhibitor bags for steel parts)
• Individual wrapping to prevent surface damage
• Custom wooden crates or pallets for heavy items
• Clear labeling with part numbers, quantities, and purchase order numbers
• Packing lists and commercial invoices included

We stand behind the quality of every casting we produce with a comprehensive warranty:

• Quality guarantee: All castings are guaranteed to meet customer drawings, material specifications, and agreed acceptance criteria
• Warranty period: 12 months from shipment date against manufacturing defects
• Defect resolution: If any casting is found to be non-conforming, we will replace it at no cost, refund the purchase price, or provide a credit — whichever the customer prefers
• Claim process: Please notify us within 30 days of receipt with photos, inspection reports, and part identification. We will investigate and respond within 48 hours
• Return shipping: For confirmed quality issues, we cover return shipping costs

Our goal is zero-defect shipments. We implement rigorous in-process and final inspection to catch issues before shipment. In the rare event of a quality concern, we work quickly and fairly to resolve it to your complete satisfaction.

Yes. We provide comprehensive after-sales technical support for all customers:

• Engineering support: Our engineering team is available to answer technical questions about material selection, heat treatment, machining, and assembly
• Root cause analysis: For any field failures or quality concerns, we conduct thorough root cause analysis (8D methodology) and implement corrective actions
• Design iterations: We support design changes and improvements throughout the product lifecycle, with tooling modifications as needed
• Documentation: We provide material certificates, inspection reports, PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) documentation, and FAI (First Article Inspection) reports as required
• Responsive communication: Technical inquiries are answered within 24 hours. Urgent issues are addressed immediately via WhatsApp or video call
• Customer visits: We welcome customer factory audits and inspections at our facility in Wuxi, China

We view ourselves as a long-term manufacturing partner, not just a supplier. Our success is built on helping our customers succeed with reliable, high-quality cast components.