<p>Signicast's advanced investment casting produces the precision metal components that enable breakthroughs in enterprise technology.</p>

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Investment casting creates high-precision, durable components for data centers, ensuring reliable IT infrastructure operations.

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<p>With investment casting, the material selection is virtually limitless. Signicast pours everything from <a href="/materials/400-series-stainless-steels" target="_self">400 series stainless steel</a>, to <a href="/materials/aluminum" target="_self">aluminum</a>, to <a href="/materials/cobalt-based-alloys" target="_self">cobalt</a>, to <a href="/materials/thermal-expansion-alloys" target="_self">Invar</a> and more. In fact, Signicast pours pretty much any alloy 24/7, with very few exceptions. And with so many options, Signicast wants its customers to be informed about the advantages, properties, and capabilities of each family of alloys.</p><p>Sign up for the free on-demand webinar where Signicast Metallurgist and Process Engineers will discuss popular <a href="/materials/metal-selector-tool" target="_self">investment casting alloy options</a>, heat treatments, and other surface processes.</p><p><strong>The webinar covers:</strong></p><ul><li>Plain carbon, low alloy, and stainless steels</li><li>Aluminum alloys and treatments</li><li>Exotic alloys like cobalt, Invar, and duplex</li><li>Alloy treatments and finishing options</li><li>Material functionality, physical properties, comparable alloys, and more!</li></ul><p><strong>Fill out the form to watch on-demand.</strong></p>

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Investment Casting Materials Mad Science

<h1>Investment Casting vs Metal Injection Molding</h1><p>If you’re looking to create high-quality metal components and can’t decide between metal injection molding (MIM) and investment casting, you aren’t alone. Many businesses have trouble choosing the best metal manufacturing process, knowing it will ultimately affect their bottom-line profits.</p><h2>What is Metal Injection Molding?</h2><p>MIM is a unique hybrid technology combining the processes of powder metallurgy and plastic injection molding. It starts when super-fine metal powders are mixed with a primary paraffin wax material and a secondary thermoplastic polymer. The final mixture is extruded and chopped into tiny pellets called “feedstock”, which are then heated before being injected into a mold cavity under high pressure. It’s a technique that delivers tighter net shape tolerances over high production runs, making it possible to produce extremely complex components with enhanced surface finishes.</p><h3>What is Investment Casting?</h3><p><a href="/investment-casting/process" target="_self">Investment casting</a>, also known as lost wax casting, begins with the creation of a wax injection die. Wax patterns are grouped and assembled onto a sprue to form a complete mold. The mold is then coated with layers of ceramic slurry and rapidly dried to harden the shell. Once dry, the mold is put into an autoclave to remove the wax from the mold. Molten metal is then added to the mold and allowed to cool. Finally, the shell is removed with high pressure water jets to reveal the final precision part.</p><h3>Material options – what process is best for certain alloys?</h3><p>Both investment casting and metal injection molding produce strong, durable parts using a wide variety of alloys. For MIM, <a href="https://www.optimim.com/" target="_self">OptiMIM’s</a> distinguishing factor is custom feedstock and the ability to specify metal particle size distribution and develop unique binder compositions. This makes the process fully customizable to deliver the end mechanical performance and properties your application requires. This also ensures that parts are more structurally sound, more reliable, and are less prone to embrittlement (cracking).</p><p>OptiMIM specializes in various ferrous and non-ferrous alloys including several stainless-steel grades, copper, and low alloy steel components which make up about 70% of our business. Specialty alloys, like Cobalt-Chromium (F-75) and other high alloy materials, are available as well.</p><p>Investment casting is such a versatile manufacturing solution in part because the <a href="/materials/metal-selector-tool" target="_self">material options are nearly endless</a>. At Signicast, we pour everything from 400-series stainless steel and plain carbon steel, to nickel and aluminum. This wide array of materials helps to deliver corrosion resistance, increased tensile strength, and ductility.  The availability of material options means that you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice one element of a design in favor of lowering cost, and the versatility means we can more easily resolve traditional casting challenges in design, production, cost control, and delivery. </p><h3>Part Size and Quantity – What is achievable?</h3><p>MIM is ideal for producing large batches of small parts, roughly a half pound or smaller. In fact, most MIM parts fit in the palm of your hand down to a single grain of rice. Investment casting, on the other hand, is best suited for smaller lot sizes of large parts that are half a pound to 250 pounds, making it a cost saving alternative to machining from solid. When it comes to IC, think larger part and smaller lot size. Both processes scale very well, however MIM is the clear winner in terms of achieving high volumes - typically 10,000 parts or more - as this technology is a batch-driven process.</p><p><em>IC weight capability: 3g - 250 lbs</em></p><p><em>MIM weight capability: .05g - 35lbs</em></p><h3>Common Applications and Designs – What Industries Are Served?</h3><p>The MIM process is known for producing incredibly dense, precise parts with high strength and wear resistance, making it ideal for medical and dental manufacturers looking to meet strict regulatory requirements. In addition, scalability and heat resistance make MIM a great solution for automotive applications. Our ability to create parts from custom formulated alloys means we can deliver precisely the required performance characteristics.</p><p>Signicast’s complex casting capabilities, <a href="/additional-capabilities/prototyping" target="_self">rapid prototyping</a> and secure supply chains make it the perfect solution for a <a href="/industries" target="_self">variety of industries</a>. Stainless steel is especially efficient for industries that require high strength and temperature resistance like  aerospace and defense applications. Our specialized processes allow us to address specific needs – like thin-wall casting, for a lightweight, streamlined design in medical and dental instruments or part consolidation in locks, hardware, and recreational vehicles.</p><p>Interested in learning more about the capabilities of investment casting and metal injection molding, download our free, on-demand webinar on IC vs. MIM by completing the form below. </p>

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Compare investment casting and metal injection molding to learn how they differ in tooling, tolerances, cost, and part complexity.

MIM vs Investment Casting | Process Comparison

See investment casting and metal injection molding compared, outlining their benefits, material options, part sizes, and applications to help businesses choose the best method for metal component production. 

Investment Casting vs MIM: A complete guide

<h1>Invar 36 Spotlight</h1><p>Invar 36, also known within the industry as Nilo 36, is a nickel-iron superalloy known for its low coefficient of <a href="/materials/thermal-expansion-alloys" target="_self">thermal expansion</a>. Containing 36% nickel, it maintains nearly constant dimensions as well as good strength and hardness over a wide range of temperatures. Invented in 1896 by Swiss physicist, Charles Edouard Guillaume, Invar was created as a low-cost solution to a meter once made of platinum and iridium. Guillaume’s work led to the discovery of a fairly inexpensive iron-nickel alloy—a steel-like material—that expands very little when heated. He named the alloy Invar because it was almost unchanging or "invariable.”</p><h3>Invar 36 Success</h3><p>One of our customers came to us specifically wanting to use INVAR 36 for a component requiring the near constant dimensions and long-term dimensional stability this alloy is known for<em>.</em> Signicast engineers rose to the challenge to not only cast Invar 36 successfully but completely exceeded the customers’ expectations—all while saving them money.</p><p><em>Why did our customer need Invar 36</em>? The slightest change in dimension or shape of their component could alter their end product—even though they were already in a temperature controlled room. A few degrees could alter the function of the part. They knew they needed to work with a material like Invar 36 but machining it from solid became costly.</p><p><em>How did Signicast help?</em> We had never worked with Invar 36 in the past, but there has never been a challenge our engineers didn’t at least try to overcome. With some research and testing we came up with a casting material that actually performed as good or better than wrought and we were able to cast net-shape successfully. Not only did we add savings on final part cost because they didn’t have to machine the part, but our final part cost was actually cheaper than their original block of metal—prior to machining.</p><p><em>The end result?</em> A very happy customer who saved tenfold and a new material added to our offerings.  </p><p>Invar 36 maintains nearly constant dimensions at temperatures below -150 degrees Celsius up to 260 degrees Celsius.</p><h3>Who Should Use Invar 36?</h3><p>Customers who are under strict temperature constraints will likely see the advantages of using Invar 36. Unfortunately, those who are currently machining from solid do not realize that casting net-shape is even an option. In today’s world, Invar 36 is often used in measuring devices, precision mechanical systems, laser components, thermostat rods, meters and components that transport liquefied gases—to name a few.</p><h3>Invar Industry Applications</h3><p>Invar can be used in a variety of applications within the <a href="/industries/commercial-aerospace" target="_self">aerospace</a>, <a href="/industries/medical" target="_self">medical</a>, and consumer electronics industries. But where superalloys with low CTE are really starting to outperform other metals is in technologies within the automotive industry. As autonomous vehicles rise in popularity, sensors, radars, and cameras become increasingly advanced and critical to the function of the car. LiDAR, an acronym for light detection and ranging, uses light waves from a laser to calculate how long it takes for the light to hit an object or surface and reflect back to the scanner—determining the distance of surrounding objects. An alloy with near constant dimensions and long-term dimensional stability, such as Invar 36, is extremely important in such intricate devices. Alternative alloys, like Kovar, with low CTE are also viable options for casting LiDAR sensors. <a href="/investment-casting" target="_self">Investment casting</a> is a cost-effective solution compared to machining LiDAR parts from solid.</p><h3>What are the Advantages of Invar 36? </h3><p>The most obvious advantage of Invar 36 is its ability to hold dimensions at cryogenic temperatures. Aside from that, Invar 36 looks and feels similar to steel. It also has outstanding weldability and machinability. Invar can also be created with customized chemistries to better meet the strength and hardness needs of customers. </p>

Learn how Invar 36 delivers ultra-stable dimensions under thermal stress, serving aerospace, optical, and cryogenic applications.

Invar 36 Investment Casting Benefits | Signicast Article

Invar 36 is a nickel-iron alloy known for its low coefficient of thermal expansion, making it ideal for applications requiring high dimensional stability across a wide temperature range, such as in precision mechanical systems, aerospace, and automotive technologies. 

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