Thermal Expansion of Investment Casting Pattern Wax

Author

Von Richards, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Sony A. Mascreen

Abstract

One of the major reasons for shell cracking in the investment casting process is the thermal expansion of pattern wax during autoclaving. Parameters of the wax pattern-making process were considered including: injection flow orientation, reclamation procedure, and injection pressure. The effect of glassy and crystalline components of wax structure was examined. Thermal expansion was measured by a non-contact method to ensure true free expansion measurements. Filled and unfilled waxes from production foundries were measured. To provide basis of comparison, two vendor-recommended waxes were studied as well as the Cerita 29-51 wax that has been extensively studied by other investigators (Sabau, 2000).

Recommended Citation

V. Richards and S. A. Mascreen, "Thermal Expansion of Investment Casting Pattern Wax," Transactions of the American Foundry Society, American Foundry Society (AFS), Jan 2003.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Investment Casting Process; Pattern Wax; Shell Cracking; Thermal Expansion

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2003 American Foundry Society (AFS), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2003