Stainless Steel Investment Castings
Stainless steel is one of the most common metals poured for investment casting. Stainless steel is known for it's 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 specializes in pouring all types of stainless steel alloys, including the 300 series, 400 series, precipitation-hardening alloys, and more, tailored to your specific needs. While we frequently work with popular alloys like 304, 316, and 17-4 PH stainless steel, we also offer castings in 410, 416, 420, and 15-5 stainless steel.
Stainless Steel Casting Process
All stainless steel investment castings begin with a wax pattern formed by a custom tool. The pattern is dipped into a mixture of sand and slurry and then dried to create a ceramic mold. Next, the mold is “dewaxed” with a high-pressure process that melts out the wax, revealing a hollow ceramic shell. A molten version of the stainless steel is poured into the shell. Once the metal has solidified and the shell has been cut off, the casting can go through final steps such as sandblasting and quality inspection before being sent to additional services, if necessary, such as machining and heat treating.
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.
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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. |
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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. |
|
| 15-5 |
Fasteners, gears, shafts high strength, hardness, & corrosion resistance. Commonly hardened through heat treatment. |
|
| 420 |
Bearings, gears, shafts, valves Martensitic alloy with high hardness |
Choosing a Stainless Steel Casting Manufacturer
When it comes to investment casting, quality, precision, and on-time delivery make all the difference. At Milwaukee Precision Casting, we take pride in being an ISO and ITAR-certified foundry, specializing in high-quality stainless steel castings for a wide range of industries.
Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, our full-service foundry produces corrosion-resistant stainless steel castings ranging from 1/10 of an ounce to 50 pounds, with industry-leading tolerances of 0.005 inches per inch. Backed by over a century of combined experience, we offer some of the fastest lead times in the industry, ensuring your project stays on track without compromising on quality.
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.
Industries Served
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. has provided investment casting solutions casting stainless steel, aluminum and other precision cast alloys for quality-minded companies in industries including:
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
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