Qianhao Metal offers high quantity water glass 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 water glass 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 water glass 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 Water Glass Casting process.
Water glass casting, also known as sodium silicate casting, is a type of investment casting
that uses sodium silicate to create a ceramic shell mold for casting molten metal. The
process is similar to the lost wax method, but is better suited for larger castings and is
cheaper to produce. It also produces a higher quality surface finish and more precise
dimensions than sand casting, and can be used for more complex shapes.Water glass casting is
one of the most common investment casting processes in China. Water glass is used as the
binder of the shell, also known as sodium silicate casting. Water glass casting is suitable
for larger castings and is more cost effective. It allows the production of castings ranging
from 0.5kg-60kg.
Benefits of Water Glass Investment Casting
1.Wax removal is easier.
2.Superior surface finish than sand casting.
3.Greater dimensional precision than sand casting.
4.More complex parts can be achieved.
5.Larger parts than the traditional investment casting method.
6. Cheaper than investment casting.
7.Greater choice of metals.
8.Environmental advantages
A variety of materials are suitable for Waterglass Casting,including steel, iron,
nodular cast iron, high chromium iron, high manganese steel, alloy steel and
heat-resistant steel.
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.
Material Range：Cast steel, cast iron, stainless steel, nodular cast iron, high chromium iron, high manganese steel, alloy steel, non-ferrous steel alloy, heat-resistant steel.
Casting Weight Range：0.02Kgs– 50Kgs
Casting Dimension Tolerance： CT 5~7
Casting Surface Roughness：Ra 6.3um
Finishing: Sandblasting, polishing, plating, acid treatment, anodizing, painting, etc.
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
investment 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.
Water Glass Casting FAQS
Q1:what is what glass casting
process?
A1: Water glass casting is also called sodium silicate casting. Its casting process is very similar to investment casting (that is the lost wax investment casting method). It is a technology that uses water glass as the binder for the shell to cast. The process provides a far superior surface finish and dimensional precision to that achieved through sand casting. And more complex shapes can be achieved.
Q2:Why water glass casting？
A2:
The water glass casting process was introduced to China in the mid of 1950s. It is different from the ethyl silicate binder investment casting process.
Due to the advantages of material cost and short production cycle. The water glass casting was quickly applied in civil machinery manufacturing.
With the fast development of the water glass casting process in China for more than 70 years.
Its production scale and application field has become the mainstream investment casting industry.
2.By adding 0.5% penetrant, the surface quality of water glass casting is greatly improved. The surface finish can even be comparable to the silica sol casting technology.
It can avoid defects caused by traditional shell-making technology. At the same time, the working environment is improved obviously.
3.Besides, the process parameters and operation requirements are not so complicated and strict. The general workers are available to operate shortly. This reduced the loss of skilled workers. And the new workers are also workable, which stabilized the normal production efficiency of the factory. About costs, shell-making material cost is not added compared with the traditional hardening process.
This process decreased the weld repair processing significantly. Improving the product rate shortens. And thus to reduce the production cost and production efficiency.
Q3:
What are Water glass casting Applications?
A3: Water glass cast components are mainly used for heavier or stronger, more complex shapes products. These applications are in the field of trailers, agricultural machinery, and the offshore industry. The process provides a far superior surface finish and dimensional precision than sand casting. It also allows for more complex shapes to be achieved. Besides steel, it is possible to cast alternative materials. Such as regular iron using this method..