What types of surface finishes can be achieved with investment casting?

Precision Surface Finishing in Investment Casting

Investment casting offers exceptional dimensional accuracy and surface quality, making it an ideal choice for components that require refined details and superior aesthetics. Depending on design requirements and functional needs, various surface finishing techniques can be applied to enhance appearance, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties.

Neway’s comprehensive Investment Casting Service supports a wide range of post-process treatments, ensuring parts made from materials such as cast stainless steel, nickel-based alloys, and copper alloys achieve both performance and durability.

Common Finishing Options for Investment Cast Components

1. As-Cast and Machined Finishes The as-cast surface already provides a smooth texture suitable for many industrial uses. When tighter tolerances are required, precision machining or as-machined finishes refine functional surfaces without compromising dimensional accuracy.

2. Polishing and Electropolishing Mechanical polishing enhances luster and smoothness, commonly applied to medical and decorative components. For stainless and titanium alloys, electropolishing further removes micro-burrs, improving cleanliness and corrosion resistance.

3. Coating and Plating Solutions Protective coatings such as powder coating and painting offer excellent color and wear protection. For enhanced hardness or conductivity, electroplating and chrome plating are applied, particularly for aesthetic or corrosion-prone applications.

4. Surface Conditioning Treatments Processes like sandblasting and brushed finishes produce uniform textures and remove surface oxides. These treatments are often followed by sealing or passivation to stabilize the metal surface.

5. Advanced Protective Coatings. For high-temperature or corrosive environments, Neway offers specialized thermal barrier coatings and PVD coatings to enhance heat resistance and surface hardness—essential for aerospace, energy, and medical applications.

Through precise process control and material expertise, Neway delivers surface finishes that strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics, meeting the demanding standards of industries such as aerospace and medical device manufacturing.