Lost Wax Casting
Lost wax casting is the process by which a duplicate metal sculpture (often silver, gold, brass or bronze) is cast from an original sculpture. Intricate works can be achieved by this method.
The steps used in casting small bronze sculptures are fairly standardized, though the process today varies from foundry to foundry. (In modern industrial use, the process is called investment casting.) Variations of the process include: “lost mould”, which recognizes that materials other than wax can be used (such as: tallow, resin, tar, and textile); and “waste wax process” (or “waste mould casting”), because the mould is destroyed to remove the cast item.
The process can be used for both small castings of a few ounces and small volume castings. Investment casting can produce complicated shapes that would be difficult or impossible with other casting methods which can reduce the need for secondary machine processes.
The lost wax casting process can be used with any material that can burn, melt, or evaporate to leave a mould cavity. Some automobile manufacturers use a lost-foam technique to make engine blocks. The model is made of polystyrene foam, which is placed into a casting flask, consisting of a cope and drag, which is then filled with casting sand. The foam supports the sand, allowing shapes that would be impossible if the process had to rely on the sand alone. The metal is poured in, vaporizing the foam with its heat.
Many materials are suitable for investment casting services, such as stainless steel alloys, brass, aluminum and carbon steel. See more details about which materials we are able to manipulate and process.
Source from WIKIPEDIA
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