Investment Cast Products

Innovative Products for Investment Casting

Many investment casting companies consider the use of ceramic gating components essential to the production of quality castings. Our products include pouring cups, rings, cover plates, rods and various specialty pieces.

Quality conscious investment casters consider the use of ICP ceramic components essential to the production of superior castings. ICP offers a complete line of ceramic products designed to improve the production of investment castings.

ICP investment cast products include:
  • Pouring Cups
  • Crucible Liners
  • Rods
  • Rings
  • Cover Plates
  • Melt Out Plugs
  • Tubes
  • Snouts
  • Mold Supports
  • Plates
  • Custom Shapes
* Available in both mullite and fused silica compositions.

Ceramic Pouring Cups

ICP Ceramic pour cups are an essential component used in the manufacture of quality investment castings. The pour cup is usually mounted to the wax downsprue and becomes part of the ceramic shell offering the advantages of mold stability, strong target area for metal impact and less potential for inclusions due to shell breakage. The cups are made from proprietary mullite or fused silica composition designed to be compatible with investment mold materials. Samples are available upon request.

Ceramic Double Cups

ICP ceramic double cups are a beneficial component used in the manufacture of quality investment castings. The double cup design helps reduce re-oxidation inclusions by allowing air to escape through an up sprue during casting.  These cups are made from proprietary mullite or fused silica compositions compatible with investment mold materials.  Samples are available upon request.

Ceramic Cover Plates

ICP ceramic cover plates are designed to cover the investment mold during the preheat process to avoid possible contamination problems. These products withstand thermal shock at high temperatures and are compatible with pour cups and shell materials. This sheet shows typical ICP Ceramic Cover Plates. Free samples of these products are available upon request without obligation.

Internal Cores

Typical Chemical Analysis
Oxide Weight %
SiO2
ZrO4
Al2O3
TiO2
Fe2O3
80.0
20.0
0.086
0.032
0.008
Typical Physical Properties
Modulus Of Rupture (ASTM C-133) 1100 – 1250 PSI
Apparent Specific Gravity (ASTM C-373-56) 2.2
Bulk Density (ASTM C-373-56) 1.79 g/cm3
Absorption (ASTM C-373-56) 10.6%
Apparent Porosity (ASTM C-373-56) 18.9%

In addition to the typical internal core for steel applications , ICP has developed I-CORE 104 ceramic cores specifically designed for aluminum applications.

I-CORE 104 has been developed with the bond strength needed to withstand high injection pressures and unique properties which allow for easy removal after casting solidification.

I-CORE 104 ceramic cores are designed to be easily removed via water blast, mechanical or caustic leaching.

In cases where soluble wax was the only option for an internal cavity, I-CORE 104 ceramic cores are now used with the following advantages: Increased yields… Better quality… Reduced cost… Elimination of additional processing required with soluble waxes

Typical Chemical Analysis – I-CORE 104
 Oxide  Weight %
SiO2
Al2O3
TiO2
Fe2O3
99.88
0.086
0.032
0.008
Typical Physical Properties
Modulus Of Rupture (ASTM C-133) 1100 – 1250 PSI
Apparent Specific Gravity (ASTM C-373-56) 2.2
Bulk Density (ASTM C-373-56) 1.79 g/cm3
Absorption (ASTM C-373-56) 10.6%
Apparent Porosity (ASTM C-373-56) 18.9%

Ceramic Rods

ICP manufactures custom ceramic rods from proprietary compositions for investment casters who prefer to insure the structural integrity of the investment shell. These rods are designed to add strength to areas of the shell where additional support is necessary, and are manufactured in many different geometric cross sections and lengths. Depending on the application, rods can be round, half round, square, rectangular or serrated in design.

ROUND RODS SQUARE RODS RECTANGULAR RODS
in. mm. in. mm. in. mm.
1/8″
3/16″
1/4″
5/16″
3/8″
1/2″
9/16″
5/8″
3/4″
1″
3.17
4.76
6.35
7.93
9.52
12.7
14.28
15.87
19.05
25.4
3/16″
1/4″
5/16″
3/8″
7/16″
1/2″
* *
* *
* *
* *
4.76
6.35
7.93
9.52
11.11
12.7
* *
* *
* *
* *
1/8″ x 1/2″
1/8″ x 3/4″
1/8″ x 1″
1/4″ x 5/8″
1/4″ x 3/4″
1/4″ x 1″
3/8″ x 3/4″
3/8″ x1″
1/2″ x 3/4″
1/2″ x 1″
3.17 x 12.7
3.17 x 19.05
3.17 X 25.4
6.35 x 15.87
6.35 x 19.05
6.35 x 25.4
9.52 x 19.05
9.52 x 25.4
12.7 x 19.05
12.7 x 25.4

Melt Out Plugs

ICP Melt Out Plugs are designed to fill shell voids created by venting. Designs include bleeder plug, cone and vent pin. Melt Out Plugs come in Fused Silica, Mullite and High Alumina. Samples are available upon request.

Precision Ground Cores

ICP extruded cores are available in many geometries and sizes up to 2″ diameter with the OD precision ground to tolerances of +/- 0.001″. Round cores can be either solid or hollow.