What Is Bronze Investment Casting
Bronze investment casting, also known as bronze lost-wax casting, is a manufacturing process used to create complex and intricate bronze parts and components. It is a method that has been used for centuries and continues to be popular for producing high-quality bronze parts with excellent detail and precision.
Bronze investment casting is commonly used in the production of art and sculpture, jewelry, musical instruments, and various industrial components where both aesthetics and precision are crucial. Different bronze alloys can be used, depending on the specific properties required for the part, such as strength, corrosion resistance, or color.
Chemical charts for bronze grades often provide information about the composition of the alloy, including the percentage of each element present. Here is an example of a chemical chart for a common type of bronze:
| Element | Percentage by Weight |
|---|---|
| Copper | 88-95% |
| Tin | 4-10% |
| Zinc | 0-4% |
| Lead | 0.05% max |
| Iron | 0.05% max |
| Aluminum | 0.1% max |
| Nickel | 0.1% max |
| Others | 0.5% max |
How To Lost Wax Bronze Casting – Bronze Casting Process
Lost-wax bronze casting, also known as investment casting, is a traditional and intricate process used to create bronze sculptures, art pieces, and various industrial components. Here is a general overview of the process:
- Sculpting or Creating the Model: The process starts with the creation of a model or sculpture. This can be done by sculpting with clay, carving in wood, or using other materials. Alternatively, a model can be created using computer-aided design (CAD) software and then 3D printed.
- Creating a Mold: A mold of the original model is made using a material such as plaster or silicone. This mold captures all the intricate details and contours of the original model.
- Wax Reproduction: Once the mold is created, it is used to produce a wax replica of the original model. This is achieved by pouring melted wax into the mold and allowing it to cool and harden. The result is a wax replica that is an exact copy of the original model.
- Building the Investment Mold: The wax replica is then coated with a ceramic material multiple times to form a ceramic shell around the wax. This creates a solid and heat-resistant mold known as the investment mold.
- Removing the Wax: The investment mold is then heated, causing the wax to melt and flow out of the mold, leaving behind a cavity in the shape of the original model.
- Pouring the Bronze: Molten bronze is poured into the cavity created by the removed wax. The bronze is left to cool and solidify within the ceramic mold.
- Breaking the Mold: After the bronze has solidified, the ceramic shell is broken or chipped away, revealing the final bronze casting within.
- Finishing and Detailing: The bronze casting is then finished and detailed as required. This process can include welding, grinding, sanding, and polishing to achieve the desired surface finish and appearance.
It’s important to note that lost-wax bronze casting requires significant expertise and skill, especially during the mold-making and casting stages. Different variations of this process may exist depending on the specific requirements and intricacies of the object being cast. The process has been refined over centuries and is still used today to create high-quality bronze sculptures and intricate metal components.
Custom Bronze Castings – Bronze Casting Foundry
Be-Cu Casting Bronze Metal Foundry is one of the advance bronze casting companies and machining manufacturers in China. We can manufacture custom Bronze castings ranging from 1 oz. to 250 lbs.Capable of casting parts from 1 to 2 in. thickness, 10 mm to 5 ft. and above length, and 3 ft. width. . They can match your exact design specifications with any grade required and OEM services.
Additional services such as assembly, packaging, painting, and plating provided. Prototype and low to high volume production runs available. To serve our customers better, heat treatment, post-machining, surface finish are all available here. Our aim is to supply our customers with the best quality at competitive prices.
Our mature casting technique makes us the most reliable one-stop source for bronze castings. This is also the most attractive factor for foreign companies from the USA, Canada, Australia, UK, German, Japan, etc to purchase products from our company in China.If you have any bronze investment casting requirements, contact us or leave a message to us. Our Technicians will reply to you immediately.
Bronze Grades We Cast – Lost Wax Cast Bronze Alloys
Bronze, a popular material for casting due to its durability, corrosion resistance, and attractive appearance, comes in various grades or alloys. The specific bronze grade selected for casting depends on the desired properties and characteristics for the end product.We regularly work with the following grades of Bronze and more:
Bronze Alloy C83600
It offers good machinability and wear resistance, making it suitable for applications like bushings, bearings, and valve components.
Bronze Alloy C87500
It is often used for marine applications, such as propellers and other components that require excellent resistance to seawater corrosion.
Bronze Alloy C93200
It is a common choice for bearing applications due to its self-lubricating properties.
Bronze Alloy C95400
It is known for its high strength and excellent corrosion resistance and is often used in heavy-duty and high-stress applications, such as gears and bushings.
Bronze Alloy C51000
Phosphor bronze is appreciated for its good spring properties and electrical conductivity, making it suitable for electrical connectors and various spring applications.
Bronze Alloy C86500
It is used for various applications, including valve components, gears, and decorative castings.
Bronze Alloy C90300
It is often used for architectural and decorative castings due to its attractive color and corrosion resistance.
Bronze Alloy C93210
It is used for bearing and bushing applications, offering good wear resistance and self-lubrication.
The choice of bronze grade depends on factors like the desired strength, hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and other specific properties required for the intended application. It’s essential to select the appropriate alloy to ensure the success of the casting project.
Types of Bronze Casting Finishes
We offer various types of surface treatments to enhance the performance, wear resistance and service life of the metal components we produce.
- Shot blasting
- Sand blasting
- Vibration grinding
- Electro-galvanizing
- Pickling and passivation
- Electropolishing
- Phosphating treatment
- Blackening treatment
- Brush polishing
- Mirror polishing
Why Choose BE-CU Bronze Casting Factory?
At BE-CU Prototype, we use state-of-the-art technology to ensure the success of every project. Below is just some of the investment casting equipment that we leverage:
- Specialized shell-making equipment
- Highly automated robotic molding machines
- Horizontal vacuum precision furnace
- Vertical vacuum precision furnace
- High-pressure gas quenching vacuum furnace
- Reliable quality assurance equipment
Certifications & Quality Machining
- ISO 9001:2015 certified
- Fully compliant with the exacting requirements of our customers
- Compliance in DFARS materials sourcing requirements
- Strict compliance with PPAP and Process
- FMEA for automotive customers
- Skilled in KanBan and CMM Inspection and inventory management systems
- ITAF 16949 certified
Top Bronze Investment Castings & Case Studies
You have a complex bronze part design, Be-cu prototype Company can help you turn it into a reality. With the right equipment, strong technical knowledge, and a focus on quality.. From tool design to finishing and then on to shipment, Be-cu ensure that every project is completed to a high standard and that your orders are delivered on time, every time.
