We know there are many customers from all over the world bought metal casting products from

Chinese suppliers, but very few of them understand or beware of

1 How their suppliers made those casting products?
2 How many types of casting process the Chinese can choose from?
3 What is different between them?

Today, we like to share an insight of Chinese investment casting process (part 1) with you and
hope you can leave a common question, so we can discuss it and help you to understand your
supplier better.

First of all, it is called Chinese style investment casting (L-W). It applied low-temperature-melted
industrial waxes with water-glass. We believe there is no such method in the western world. The
method is used to produce carbon steel parts such as valve body. Also, it is to replace another
traditional casting solution – sand casting- which normally makes small objects. L-W normally
produce part weights between 5kg – 100kg.

Secondly, it is medium-temperature-melted industrial maxes applied with silica sol (M-S). M-S is
suited for stainless steel and some other special material. And is used to produce parts with high
accuracy requirement and better surface finishing such as internal valve parts. The part weights
between 100g-20kg. It cost higher than (L-W)

Last but not least, it is low-temperature-melted industrial waxes with silica sol (L-S). L-S is used to
produce stainless steel parts with big sizes, such as valve body. the cost between L-W and M-W.

Lost-wax casting / Investment casting process in China

Solution L-W M-S L-S
Waxes melt Low (≈50℃) Medium (≈70℃) Low (≈50℃)
temperature
Investment Water glass Silica sol Silica sol
material
surface roughness No good Better good
Suit material carbon steel stainless steel & stainless steel
special material
Parts weight 5kg-100kg 100g-20kg 20kg-100kg
Sample Valve body Valve parts Valve body
Cost Low High Medium