Investment Casting
A Comparison of Manufacturing Methods
| |
|
Characteristic
|
Investment Cast
|
MIM
|
Powdered Metal
|
Machining
|
Zinc Die Casting
|
Screw Machine
|
|
Die Composition
|
Aluminum
|
Tool Steel
|
Tool Steel
|
N/A
|
Tool Steel
|
N/A
|
|
Die Cost
|
Low
|
Highest
|
Low
|
Low
|
Moderate
|
Lowest
|
|
Die Life
|
High
|
Highest
|
High
|
High
|
Highest
|
High
|
|
Die Development Time (P. O. to sample)
|
4-10 wks
|
10-18 wks
|
8-12 wks
|
2-4 wks
|
10-18 wks
|
2-4 wks
|
|
Die Modification Costs ($)
|
Low
|
High
|
Moderate
|
Low
|
Moderate
|
Low
|
|
Section Thickness (Minimum)
|
0.08
|
0.01
|
0.04
|
0.005
|
0.03
|
0.02
|
|
Surface Finish
|
Good
|
Very good
|
Good
|
Best
|
Very good
|
Best
|
|
Alloy Selectivity
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Limited
|
Excellent
|
|
Alloy Cost
|
High
|
High
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Lowest
|
Moderate
|
|
Density
|
Very good
|
Excellent
|
Fair
|
Excellent
|
Good
|
Excellent
|
|
Heat Treatable
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Dimensional Stability
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
|
Insert Capable
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Net Shape Capability
|
Very good
|
Excellent
|
Fair
|
Very good
|
Excellent
|
Good
|
|
High Volume Production Capability
|
Very Good
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Very Good
|
Excellent
|
Very good
|
View Web Site
View Manufacturer’s Fact Sheet
|
