Quality conscious investment casters consider the use of ICP ceramic gating components essential to the production of quality castings. ICP offers a complete line of ceramic products designed to improve the production of investment castings, including pour cups, rings, cover plates, rods, and various specialty pieces.
Ceramic Pour Cups
ICP Ceramic pour cups are an essential component used in the manufacture of quality investment castings. The pour cup is usually mounted to the wax downsprue and becomes part of the ceramic shell offering the advantages of mold stability, strong target area for metal impact and less potential for inclusions due to shell breakage. Cups are made from proprietary mullite or fused silica composition designed to be compatible with investment mold materials.
Ceramic Double Cups
ICP ceramic double cups are a beneficial component used in the manufacture of quality investment castings. The double cup design helps reduce re-oxidation inclusions by allowing air to escape through an up sprue during casting. Double cups are made from proprietary mullite or fused silica compositions compatible with investment mold materials.
Internal Cores
| Typical Chemical Analysis | |
| Oxide | Weight % |
|
SiO2
ZrO4 Al2O3 TiO2 Fe2O3
|
80.0 20.0 0.086 0.032 0.008 |
| Typical Physical Properties | |
| Modulus Of Rupture (ASTM C-133) | 1100 – 1250 PSI |
| Apparent Specific Gravity (ASTM C-373-56) | 2.2 |
| Bulk Density (ASTM C-373-56) | 1.79 g/cm3 |
| Absorption (ASTM C-373-56) | 10.6% |
| Apparent Porosity (ASTM C-373-56) | 18.9% |
In addition to the typical internal core for steel applications , ICP has developed I-CORE 104 ceramic cores specifically designed for aluminum applications.
I-CORE 104 has been developed with the bond strength needed to withstand high injection pressures and unique properties which allow for easy removal after casting solidification.
I-CORE 104 ceramic cores are designed to be easily removed via water blast, mechanical or caustic leaching.
In cases where soluble wax was the only option for an internal cavity, I-CORE 104 ceramic cores are now used with the following advantages: Increased yields… Better quality… Reduced cost… Elimination of additional processing required with soluble waxes
| Typical Chemical Analysis – I-CORE 104 |
|
| Oxide | Weight % |
|
SiO2
Al2O3 TiO2 Fe2O3
|
99.88
0.086
0.032 0.008 |
| Typical Physical Properties | |
| Modulus Of Rupture (ASTM C-133) | 1100 – 1250 PSI |
| Apparent Specific Gravity (ASTM C-373-56) | 2.2 |
| Bulk Density (ASTM C-373-56) | 1.79 g/cm3 |
| Absorption (ASTM C-373-56) | 10.6% |
| Apparent Porosity (ASTM C-373-56) | 18.9% |
Ceramic Mold Support Rods
ICP manufactures custom ceramic support rods from proprietary compositions for investment casters who prefer to insure the structural integrity of the investment shell. These rods are designed to add strength to areas of the shell where additional support is necessary, and are manufactured in many different geometric cross sections and lengths. Depending on the application, rods can be round, half round, square, rectangular or serrated in design.
