Qianhao Metal offers high quantity Silica Sol Casting solutions and services. Steadfast devoting to the field of investment casting(precision casting) and machining for 30 years and with strong engineering capabilities, complete quality assurance system and advanced management system, and deep industry expertise, our world class foundry provides these global industry leaders and medium-to-high end western customers with the highest quality Silica Sol Casting products, services and solutions,heat treatment, and casting for multiple materials and project outcomes. We provide dimensional accuracy and precise components based on the specific needs of your project. Our large Silica Sol casting foundry , with unmatched industry experience, and access to advanced equipment give product innovators and project managers the ability to produce high quantity metal parts and components within the size and scope of budgets, timelines, and quality standards. If machining is required, our one-stop shop can deliver surface finishing for complex geometry parts.
An introduction to the Silica Sol Casting process.
Silica sol casting is a form of investment casting. The process is very similar except that the investment mould is made from silica sol zircon sand mixed with refractory powder. Silica sol zircon sand is exceptionally fine-grained (10-20 Microns) and can be mixed to a slurry with very low viscosity when creating the mould. The result is a casting method that delivers dimensionally accurate castings with excellent as-cast surface finishes. Crucially, the silica sol zircon moulds can withstand temperatures up to 2000°C, making them very useful when casting high temperature alloy steels and stainless steels.
The term investment casting is derived from the process of “investing” (surrounding) a pattern with refractory materials. Investment casting is often selected over other molding methods because the resulting castings present fine detail and excellent as-cast surface finishes. They can also be cast with thin walls and complex internal passageways. Unlike sand casting, investment casting does not require a draft.
Benefits of Silica Sol Investment Casting
1.Great versatility; suitable for casting most metals.
2.Will allow very intricate castings to be produced with thin walls.
3.Smooth surface finishes are possible with no parting line so machining and finishing are reduced or eliminated.
4.Allows un-machinable parts to be cast accurately instead.
5.Excellent dimensional accuracy.
6.High volume production can be achieved with low repeat costs.
7.Can be used to prototype and prove designs prior to die casting tooling investment.
8.Is ideally suited to smaller, intricate or complex designs.
9.Low material wastage.
1.A metal die is made, the impression being the same as required in the final mould.
2.Molten wax is injected into the metal die to create a pattern, allowed to solidify and then removed. Some complex wax patterns are fabricated by joining several separate patterns together using an adhesive.
3.The waxes are then assembled on a wax tree, many parts can be put on the tree depending on size, it is common for components to be in the weight range 0.1kg up to 50kg.
4.The tree is then immersed in silica sol zircon slurry to coat the wax, the slurry is exceptionally fine with low viscosity resulting in an excellent as-cast surface finish. The slurry is coated with a refractory material and the process is repeated several times until a shell is created around the wax pattern.
5.The drying process is critical. The shells must be allowed to dry naturally in a constant temperature to allow the silica sol gels and refractory particles to bond, the result is a strong, high quality shell mould. The trees of wax are put into ovens of about 200 degrees to melt out the wax.
6.When all wax is removed the trees are heated up to over 1000 degrees to complete preparation for casting.
7.The metal is then poured into the hot moulds, which allows the alloy to reach the thinnest sections of the mould before it solidifies.
1.Liner tolerance of silica sol castings can be controlled with ±0.1mm, and the surface finish is Ra6.3.
2.Min. weight 0.01kg, Max. weight 50kg.
3.Cast min. hole: Φ2mm
4.Cast min. round corner: R0.1mm
5.Cast min thickness: 0.7mm
The silica sol investment castings have better dimensions and surface quality, but just more expensive than water glass casting. Cost of solica sol casting is almost twice than the cost of water glass casting. Both silica sol casting and water glass casting belong to investment casting or lost wax casting. So process of silica sol casting is almost the same as water glass casting. But silica sol investment casting process uses silica sol zircon sand as the molding material, which can stand temperature up to 2000 degree. Below are the main differences between solica sol casting and water glass casting.
Steadfast dedication to the field of precision casting and machining for 30 years,Qianhao Metal is a global leading investment casting foundry.Backed up by our modernized workshops, reliable equipment and advanced manufacturing technology, Qianhao Metal is devoting to manufacturing high quality industrial products for our customers. We have abundance of experience in Silica Sol Casting process.
Investment casting can produce a wide variety of products and prototypes, but it is important to choose the correct investment casting material for your application.
The right material helps you get the desired functionality, save on the cost of materials, eliminate unwanted casting defects, and limit the need for secondary processes after the casting is complete.
Investment Casting also known as precision casting or Lost wax casting, is a manufacturing process in which a wax pattern is used to shape a disposable ceramic mold. A wax pattern is made in the exact shape of the item to be cast. This pattern is coated with a refractory ceramic material. Once the ceramic material is hardened, it is turned upside-down and heated until the wax melts and drains out. The hardened ceramic shell becomes an expendable investment mold. Molten metal is poured into the mold and is left to cool. The metal casting is then broken from of the spent mold.
Final parts can display smooth surfaces and dimensional precision while allowing for lower weight, thin walls, or other beneficial properties.
Determining which properties can be successfully incorporated into your part largely depends on material choice.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steels feature superior durability in comparison with many other materials. The potential of the material has led to increased use in investment casting by designers and engineers.
Applications for stainless steel include gearbox parts in automotive applications, various gears, camp components, and golf club heads.
Low Alloy Steel
Low alloy steels are among the most frequently used steels in the mechanical world due to their affordability and beneficial mechanical properties.
Specialized heat-treating processes make it possible to engineer parts that have differing properties in different areas of the same workpiece.
For example, varying heat treatments can be used to make one surface tough and impact-resistant, while another surface becomes wear-resistant.
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum alloy is the most used material in investment casting. Industries that use it most frequently include aerospace, avionics, electronics, and military.
Castings are now offered for demanding applications like airframe components thanks to the material’s improved strength and the availability of quality castings made from aluminum-silicon-magnesium alloy.
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel is a common low-cost material that comes in a variety of grades, with the classifications varying based on the amount of carbon content.
The strength, ductility, and performance of carbon steel can be improved in industrial applications through heat treatment.
Its ferromagnetic properties make carbon steel useful in motors and electrical appliances. It is safe, durable, and has a high structural integrity, making it one of world’s most frequently used alloys.
Super Alloy
Super alloys based in nickel and cobalt have common uses in the aerospace, energy, medical, chemical, and marine industries.
Nickel-based alloys are stronger at high temperatures and cobalt-based alloys have superior corrosion, oxidation, and wear resistance over their nickel-based counterparts.
Super alloys increasingly replace sheet metal because they provide high rigidity and superior service characteristics while remaining a cost-effective option.
Copper Alloy
Copper-based alloys are corrosion-resistant and feature low rates of wear. They are frequently used in applications such as ship or pump propellers, electrical components, and plumbing components.
A versatile material, there are more than 400 different alloys featuring a wide variety of properties.
Many part types can be investment cast from copper-based alloys. More common types of copper-based alloys include bronze and brass.
The strongest copper alloy is beryllium-copper, which has similar properties to high-strength alloy steels but with a higher corrosion resistance over longer periods.
Cast Iron
Iron castings, which often include gray iron and ductile iron, are known for their high accuracy and an affordable price tag.
Ductile iron has high strength, heat-resistance, and toughness, but it has a more complex production process than other steels. This leads to a higher production cost than cast steel.
Investment Casting Manufacturer
Looking for an innovative Investment Casting partner? One that provides outstanding service, exceptional quality, and low costs - all within short lead times? Look no further than Qianhao Casting, Inc. for your casting needs.
Different Investment Casting Products We have made for world Clients
Qianhao handles each job with an optimal process to achieve the lowest cost, best quality, and highest efficiency.
Investment Casting Foundry
Steadfast dedication to the field of precision casting and machining for 30 years, Qianhao is a globally recognized manufacturer of high-valued added and complex castings for global industry leaders.
Whether you require complex cast components weighing just a few grams or large components of up to 50 pounds, or your needs include high volume, rapid prototype, or short-run projects, you can count on the experience, innovation, and dedication of Qianhao Investment Casting to work for you.
Full-Service Casting Capabilities
Backed up by our modernized workshops, reliable equipment and advanced manufacturing technology, Qianhao is devoting to manufacturing high quality industrial products for our customers. .
We have abundance of experience in lost wax casting, lost form casting, shell molding, sanding casting, forging, precision machining, surface treatment, sheet metal, welding, and assembling which we would like to share with you and be of your service.
As for the custom finishing touches, Qianhao Precision Casting handles all plating and finishing. This includes phosphate coating, polishing, hand polishing, passivation, pickling and electropolishing.
Provide Our Customers with the Best Molding Solutions
We are Committed to Delivering the Highest Quality Investment Castings.
Rail parts Casting
Automotive Parts casting
Construction equipment casting
Forklif Equipment casting
Agricultural Machinery casting
We already have had cooperation with some the world's Top 500 companies as one of their major precision metal parts suppliers in China.
Silica Sol Castings FAQS
Q1:what is silica sol process?
A1: Investment casting (silica sol process) is a precise manufacturing process where a wax pattern is coated with a ceramic shell made from a silica sol slurry. After the wax is melted and drained, a cavity remains. Molten metal is then poured into the ceramic mould, creating intricate and accurate castings with fine surface finishes, ideal for complex parts in various industries.
Q2:What is the Difference of water glass investment casting and silica sol investment casting？
A2: 1.Adhesive is different. as the name suggests, adhesive of silica sol investment casting is silica sol. meanwhile adhesive of water glass investment casting is water glass.
2.Shell dry process is different. Silica sol shell is drying naturally in constant temperature and humidity environment. which need more time and cost. Water glass shell is drying through chemical hardener. which need shorter time and lower cost.
3.Wax is different. Silica sol wax is middle temperature, water glass wax is low temperature.
4.Casting material is different. Usually carbon steel apply to water glass investment casting, however silica sol investment casting can manufacture carbon steel, stainless steel, high temperature alloy, etc.
Silica sol investment casting parts are with better quality. which is more accurate dimension and smooth surface.
Q3: Why Choose Investment Silica Sol Casting?
A3: The Investment casting process Silica sol castings is similar to the water glass process for but different in the Wax type there is called Silicone glue. Silica sol castings are mainly used for products with high corrosion resistance and precision dimensions. The Silica sol castings gives the possibilities to eliminate the need for secondary machining after casting. The alloys typical produces is carbon steel and stainless steel castings. The casting surface of stainless steel is very smooth even meet requirement on Ra 3.2 µ or better, wish make it ideal for industries like Food, pump and water applications.
Q4: what is Benefits of Investment Silica Sol Casting
A4:Precise tolerances；Thin walls are possible；Fine surface structure；Complex shapes can be achieved without draft angles Small marks can be cast very clearly, such as letters or company logos；Suitable for a wide variety of materials.
Q5: Sand Casting vs. Water Glass Investment Casting vs. Silica Sol Precision Casting
1. Sand casting process uses wet clay sand as the main molding material, which is cheap.
2. Water glass investment casting process uses water glass quartz sand as the molding material, which can stand temperature up to 1800 degree, but it is more expensive than wet clay sand.
3. Silica sol investment casting process uses silica sol zircon sand as the molding material, which can stand temperature up to 2000 degree. This molding material is very expensive.