The main differences between casting process and shell process are their definition, application scenarios, advantages and disadvantages, and specific operation methods.
Precision Casting Process: Precision casting (precision casting) is a process that involves coating a wax mold with refractory material to form a shell mold. The wax is then melted, and the molten metal is poured into the mold cavity to create highly precise and intricate metal parts. Precision casting products are precise and complex, closely resembling the final shape of the parts, allowing them to be used directly or with minimal processing, making it an advanced near-net formable process.
Shell-type process: The shell-type process includes water glass shells, composite shells, and silica sol shells. Water glass shells have been used in China for nearly 50 years. Significant improvements in strength have been achieved through the improvement of back-layer refractory materials and the application of new hardeners. Composite shells enhance surface quality and reduce defects compared to water glass shells. Silica sol shells are suitable for casting medium to large castings, offering superior shell removal and high permeability.
merits and drawbacks
Precision casting process
Advantages: high product accuracy, close to the final shape of parts, reduce subsequent processing requirements; suitable for the production of complex and precision parts.
Disadvantages: high cost, long production cycle, suitable for small batch, high precision parts production.
Shell type process
Glass shell: Advantages: low cost, high production efficiency, suitable for mass production. Disadvantages: poor surface quality, suitable for castings with low surface quality requirements.
Composite shell: Advantages: good surface quality, suitable for the casting of high alloy steel, short production cycle. Disadvantages: high cost, suitable for castings with high surface quality requirements.
Silica sol shell: Advantages: good high temperature performance, suitable for large casting, high dimensional accuracy. Disadvantages: higher equipment and cost, suitable for batch production of medium and large castings.
Precision casting process: mainly includes wax mold making, coating refractory materials, melting wax, pouring metal and other steps. The wax mold is formed by lost-wax casting, then coated with refractory materials and melted wax mold, and finally poured with metal.
