Stainless Steel Investment Castings
Stainless steel is one of the most common metals poured for investment casting. They are known for their exceptional corrosion resistance and versatility in critical industries such as food & beverage, medical, oil & gas, and petrochemical.
On a chemical level, stainless steel investment castings contain high levels of chromium which displays corrosion-resistant qualities. For example, SS304 contains up to 21% chromium. Other metal components are best poured with SS316 due to its molybdenum content. Molybdenum is useful in stainless steel alloys for its stability under harsh conditions with high thermal conductivity and a melting point of 4,753°F/2,620°C.
Milwaukee Precision Casting can pour all stainless steel alloys including 300 series, 400 series, precipitating hardness, and others upon your request. The most common alloys we pour are 304, 316, and 17-4 PH stainless steel.
Please view our list of alloys we pour or contact us if you have any questions about a specific stainless steel alloy your investment cast component requires.
Popular Stainless Steel Grades
What are the Advantages of Stainless Steel Investment Castings?
Stainless steel's biggest advantage is its excellent corrosion resistance. Unlike other materials, stainless steel castings have a built-in chromium oxide layer that provides exceptional anti-corrosive properties. These corrosion-resistant properties make stainless steel castings ideal for pump/valve, petrochemical, marine, and other industrial applications.
Unsure about your part design? Check out our prototyping capabilities
Commonly Cast Stainless Steel Alloys
| Alloy | Common Usage | Applications |
| 304 | Food grade steel, housings, bodies 304 is widely accepted in the food industry as the standard for cleanliness as well as corrosion resistance. |
|
304L/316L |
Similar to other 300 series steel, the "L" stands for low carbon, making it softer but more corrosion resistant for each grade of material. | |
| 316 | Housings, gears, plates 316 is known for its superior corrosion resistance, making it ideal for many uses including marine environments. |
|
410 & 416 |
Housings, bushings, handles, brackets 400 series steels are high strength and very machinable. They will tend to break rather than bend under intense pressure |
|
| 17-4 | Rods, pins, links, arms 17-4 is the strongest of the stainless steel family and is used on parts that cannot bend.. |
Choosing a Stainless Steel Casting Manufacturer
Quality, precision, and on-time delivery are everything when it comes to finding the best investment casting manufacturer. Milwaukee Precision Casting is an ISO and ITAR certified investment casting foundry, equipped to produce investment castings for all stainless steel grades.
As a full-service foundry in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we can provide corrosion-resistant stainless steel castings from 1/10 of an ounce to up to 50 pounds, with close tolerances of 0.005 per inch. With some of the most competitive lead times in the entire industry and over a century of combined years of experience, you can trust our team to produce the highest quality stainless steel castings on time.
To request a quote for your stainless steel project, fill out our form or give us a call today!
SS Castings FAQ
The main categories of stainless steel grades include austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, precipitation hardening (PH), and duplex. The type of stainless steel is dependent on its microstructure and will affect the characteristics of the alloy.
Our standard surface finish for stainless steel is 100-125 rms. We also offer secondary surfaces such as plating and electro-polishing for your investment casting to achieve the desired result.
Yes, stainless steel investment castings can be heat treated. Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. provides T2, T4, T5, T6, and T61 heat treatments depending on your needs.
We cast stainless steel at a maximum of 18 inches long and up to 50 pounds. Our precision tolerances follow the industry standard of 0.005 in/in.
Certifications & Compliances
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. is committed to delivering the highest quality stainless steel investment castings. Our various certifications support our strict quality standards and testing and inspection capabilities.
- ISO 9001:2015 Certified
- Mil-I-45208 Standards for Military Applications
- ITAR (International Traffic In Arms Regulations)
- AMS Certified Non-destructive Testing
Stainless Steel Casting Gallery
Questions?
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