Investment Casting Process
Precision lost wax casting using silica sol ceramic shells. Create complex geometries with tight tolerances (±0.1mm) and superior surface finish in stainless steel, carbon steel, and alloys.
What is Investment Casting?
Investment casting—also known as lost wax casting or precision casting—is a metal forming process that produces complex, near-net-shape components with excellent dimensional accuracy and surface finish. The process dates back thousands of years but has been refined with modern materials and quality control systems for demanding industrial applications.
At Quintex, we specialize in silica sol investment casting, which uses colloidal silica binders for the ceramic shell. This produces castings with tighter tolerances and better surface finish than water glass (sodium silicate) processes, making it ideal for automotive, aerospace, and precision industrial components.
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Taiwan, the Quintex Group has achieved international advanced technology standards in precision casting. With 600+ employees, 100+ CNC platforms, and a combined monthly capacity exceeding 100 tons, we serve over 300 clients across Europe, the United States, Japan, and other markets. Our production covers multiple industries including automotive, oil & gas, food machinery, and industrial equipment—using materials such as stainless steel, carbon steel, and low-alloy steel.
The 6-Step Investment Casting Process
Pattern Creation
Wax patterns are created using precision injection molds, replicating the exact geometry of the final metal part with tolerances as tight as ±0.1mm.
Assembly (Tree Building)
Individual wax patterns are attached to a central wax sprue, forming a 'tree' that allows multiple parts to be cast simultaneously for efficiency.
Shell Building
The wax assembly is dipped repeatedly in ceramic slurry (silica sol) and coated with fine sand, building up a ceramic shell 6-10mm thick.
Dewaxing
The ceramic shell is heated in an autoclave to melt and drain the wax, leaving a hollow ceramic mold with the exact cavity shape needed.
Metal Pouring
Molten metal (stainless steel, carbon steel, or alloys) is poured into the preheated ceramic mold under controlled conditions.
Shell Removal & Finishing
After cooling, the ceramic shell is broken away. Parts are cut from the tree, then ground, machined, and polished to final specifications.
Our Investment Casting Capabilities
Silica Sol Precision Casting
Our primary process for aerospace, automotive, and industrial components requiring tight tolerances and superior surface finish (Ra 3.2-6.3 μm).
Material Expertise
304/316 stainless steel, CF8/CF8M, carbon steel, low-alloy steel, and specialty alloys. Full spectrometer analysis for material verification.
In-House CNC Machining
100+ CNC platforms across our foundries for secondary machining, ensuring dimensional accuracy to ±0.02mm on critical features.
Quality Assurance
ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and VW Germany certified. CMM inspection, X-ray testing, pressure leak testing, and full dimensional reporting. Recognized as 'Little Giant' and 'Specialized and Sophisticated' enterprise.
Technical Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is investment casting?
Investment casting, also known as lost wax casting, is a precision metal forming process that creates complex shapes by pouring molten metal into a ceramic mold created from a wax pattern. It's ideal for producing parts with tight tolerances, complex geometries, and excellent surface finish.
What materials can be investment cast?
Quintex specializes in investment casting of stainless steels (304, 316, CF8, CF8M), carbon steels, low-alloy steels, and specialty alloys. We serve automotive, industrial, and energy sector applications.
What tolerances can investment casting achieve?
Our silica sol investment casting process achieves dimensional tolerances of ±0.1mm (±0.004in) as-cast. With secondary CNC machining, we can achieve ±0.02mm on critical features.
Does Quintex offer investment casting in Vietnam?
Yes, our new Acewell Vietnam facility in Hung Yen Province is scheduled to begin production in 2027, offering a Taiwan-managed China+1 option for supply chain diversification.
Ready to Discuss Your Investment Casting Project?
Our engineering team can review your drawings, recommend the optimal process, and provide a detailed quotation.
Contact Our Team