Aspect | Sand Casting | Investment Casting |
---|---|---|
Process | Uses sand molds filled with molten metal | Uses wax patterns coated in ceramic shell |
Complexity | Limited intricate designs | Complex designs and fine details achievable |
Surface Finish | Rough surface finish | Smooth surface finish |
Tolerance | Lower dimensional accuracy | Higher dimensional accuracy |
Material Variety | Wide range of metals and alloys | Wide range of metals and alloys |
Cost | Lower tooling and setup costs | Higher tooling and setup costs |
Production Rate | Slower production rates | Faster production rates |
Applications | Large parts and prototypes | Small to medium-sized, intricate parts |
Waste | Higher material waste | Minimal material waste |
Post-Processing | Requires more machining | Less machining required |
Strength | Lower mechanical properties | Higher mechanical properties |
Conclusion:
Sand casting is suitable for larger parts and simpler designs due to its lower cost and easier setup. It produces rougher finishes and is ideal for prototypes and low-volume production. Investment casting, while more expensive upfront, offers higher precision, smoother finishes, and better mechanical properties, making it suitable for intricate designs and high-performance applications where dimensional accuracy and surface quality are critical.