For engineers planning tomorrow’s investment castings, designing the ceramic cores required for creating the perfect final shape can be daunting. In addition, choosing the correct material for that ceramic core only adds to the difficulty engineers face. Before choosing the correct material for your ceramic core, one must also decide on the appropriate method for creating the core. That decision is typically based on the complexity and application in which the core will be used. For this discussion, let’s assume your application requires the cores to be produced via the injection molding process (vs. poured or extruded).
There are many factors that contribute to the selection of the core material. Probably the most important factor would be the size of the core and the complexity of the geometry. Another important factor for choosing the core material would be shrink rate and the source of the tooling. Is the tooling new or used? Is there wear on the used tooling that could affect the final outcome in the injection molding process?
Lastly, but certainly not least important for choosing the correct material for your ceramic core, would be budget considerations and customer preference. Is there a particular material that has been used in the past? Has this material performed satisfactorily? Have you been experiencing less-than-perfect results with an existing material selection and need to try a new approach?
Core-Tech offers a variety of materials that offer a combination of excellent leachability, sturdiness and affordability. Our exclusive line of DC materials offer maximum performance and strength, even with the thinnest of trailing edges in equiaxed, DS, and single crystal casting applications.
All of these factors that are considered in core material selection can be discussed and sorted out with the help from Core-Tech. We are well versed and experienced with helping customers decide which material is just right for your ceramic core application.