PRINCIPAL ADVANTAGES OF INVESTMENT CASTINGS

• Close dimensional tolerance and excellent surface finish. Elimination of substantial machining expense.
• All metals and alloys can be cast as structural components. Mechanical and physical characteristics can be selected to satisfy a wide range of application service requirements.
• An intricate part can be produced as a single casting instead of a welded fabrication or bolted assembly, saving time and expense.
• Casting can be designed with interior cavities, holes, and complex passageways. Threaded inserts of different metals from the basic casting can be cast in place (threaded steel inserts in aluminum, for example).
• Metal usage is kept to a minimum because castings can be designed and produced to net-shape configuration.
• Availability of prototyping and temporary tooling for cast components can be developed quickly to prove out designs.
• Reliability - Long use in aircraft engines for the most demanding applications show demonstrated durability of the process.
• Corrosion, abrasion and heat resistant applications.
• Weight reduction and thin wall applications.
• Aesthetically pleasing contours
• Pressure tightness.
• Electrical and magnetic characteristics.
• Appearance that can be plated or anodized.
• Alloys that can be welded or brazed.
• Cams, grooves, bosses, holes, slots, and other openings can be designed into the casting.