Lost Wax Casting

[edit] What is lost wax casting?

Lost wax casting is a metal casting technique that utilises wax moulds to create intricate, detailed metal structures. Also known as cire perdue or precision casting, molten metal is poured into casts created from wax sculptures. Lost wax casting allows the creation of thin walls and lightweight components.

[edit] Lost wax casting process

Casting metal components using the lost wax casting process allows you to create precise components with difficult structures:

• A wax model is created. This model can only be used once. Large scale productions 3D print prototypes for quick results.
• Once the wax model has been created the cast must be created. This can be done in a number of ways. A popular technique is to surround the wax mould in plaster until it solidifies.
• The wax-plaster mixture is then heated up so the wax melts and can be removed from the cast.
• Molten metal is then poured into the mould until it has solidified.
• The plaster is then removed leaving the metal structure. From there the metal component is then machined and trimmed to the desired shape.

[edit] History of lost wax casting

This form of metal casting is first recorded 6,000 years ago, used by the Indus Valley Civilization to create a copper, wheel-shaped amulet. Early practises used wax from beehives to create the desired structure. In ancient Athens, they used to use clay moulds to create casting for statues and jewellery.

[edit] Positives and negatives of lost wax casting

Positives:

• It can be used to create complex shapes, with very delicate features.
• It can save material waste and can be used for mass production.
• It can cast any material with very few restrictions, such as aluminium, magnesium, copper, and steel.
• It can be used for rapid, low-cost production.

Negatives:

• It cannot produce large components.
• It requires a large amount of preparation and specialist equipment.
• It is a more complicated method compared to other casting processes.

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