Investment casting foundry
High grade steel components by using investment casting
CIREX is one of the largest steel-casting companies in the world and produces complex castings with extreme precision using the “lost-wax” method. Thanks to this versatile method our engineers have considerable freedom in the product design and choice of materials. This means that in consultation with you we can produce optimum castings that meet your exact wishes and requirements.
Bit holder
Shifting profile
Chisel plate holder
Rotor & stator
Injector clamp
Fuel pump housing
Synchron Joint
Impeller wheel
Exhaust gas recirculation
NOx-cover
Valve housing
Discover the markets and products we produce
investment casting proces
How does ‘investment casting‘ (lost-wax) work? Click on “read more” for an overview of the steps and phases involved. CIREX is one of the largest lost-wax foundries in the world. Using this method, we produce high-quality investment castings of complex shapes with extreme precision. As this process offers considerable freedom in the casting design and material choice, we can produce the castings according to your specific requirements with maximum efficiency.
properties of investment casting
CIREX produces precision castings using the lost-wax technique. These castings have low surface roughness values, precise tolerances and are the highest quality steel castings available on the market. They are often used for components that operate in hostile environments, such as large differences in temperature or where the components are required to be especially hard, strong or light. To meet these tough demands, special alloys are often used for these castings.
Properties
Shape tolerance:
Roughness:
Dimensional tolerances:
Materials:
Complexity:
Machining:
Undercuts:
Series:
Description
Freedom in style and design
High surface quality & low roughness values (Ra 1.6 – 6.3 µm)
High dimensional accuracy and precise tolerances (VDG P690 D1)
Virtually any steel alloy can be cast
Complex shapes can be cast as a single component
Little to no machining is required
Products with undercuts can be cast
Suitable for smaller and larger series
our locations
CIREX’s activities are spread across three locations. Besides the headquarters and knowledge centre in the Netherlands (Almelo), there are two locations in the Czech Republic (Koprivnice). CIREX employs about 280 people.
features & benefits
If you select CIREX to have your steel component developed and produced, then you are opting for quality, certainty and reliability. From idea to implementation. Our investment casting process has the following characteristics:
- Significant freedom of shape and design
- Nearly every steel alloy is possible
- High degree of dimensioning precision
- No release angle required
- High surface quality
- Obviates mechanical post-processing
- Non-releasing cores can be cast
dimensions & tolerances investment casting products
Precise dimensioning characterises the lost-wax method. Extremely precise tolerances often make a design needlessly expensive. With our decades of knowledge and experience we can save you costs by determining the best dimensioning in consultation with you. The final result? Optimal use of our casting process.
The tolerances for “lost wax model” castings are established in an international norm: VDG P690. CIREX produces according to this norm, such that class D1 is considered the standard.
- Class D1: Standard tolerances
- Class D2: Precise tolerances
- Class D3: Extremely precise tolerances, feasible for a limited number of dimensions and/or surfaces.
The production process at CIREX is highly automated. This results in decreased process spread. Because of our human-independent production, the casting process is extremely consistent. This allows CIREX to produce cast pieces more precisely than international standards require.
surface quality investment castings
The roughness of CIREX precision castings varies from Ra 1.6 tot 6.3 µm, depending on the steel alloy used. This low roughness means that an additional processing is often not needed. That can result in considerable cost savings for you. However, if lower roughness values still are required then an extra surface treatment may be necessary, such as electrolytic polishing …
investment casting materials
At CIREX, we always start with the product’s functionality. Once the functionality is clear, the product is developed further. An essential part of this is the choice of material. A good design depends entirely on the proper choice of material. It’s important to know the properties that the steel must possess. Consider, for example:
- Mechanical properties (hardness, tensile strength, elongation and elasticity)
- Thermal properties (heat resistance)
- Chemical properties (acid resistance and the ability to withstand corrosion)
Metallurgical specialists at CIREX will be glad to help you choose the optimum alloy for your application. Also when it comes to choosing the right chemical composition, structure, hardness, tensile strength or heat resistance.
Investment casting surface-hardened steels
Structural components with high levels of abrasion resistance combined with a tough core. Products that are subject to conditions requiring both abrasion resistance and toughness.
| CX no. | Mat. no. | Symbol | Similar to | Heat treatment | Proof stress Rp0,2 | Tensile strength (N/mm²) | Elongation (%) | Hardness |
| 15 | 1.0401 | C15 / GS38 | SAE M1015 | Surface hardening | ≥ 430 | 700-900 | ≈ 12 | ≥ 700 HV |
| 902 | 1.5860 | 14NiCr18 | - | Surface hardening | ≥ 835 | 900-1200 | ≈ 10 | - |
| 16 | 1.5919 | G15CrNi6 | SAE 3115 | Surface hardening | ≥ 680 | 1000-1300 | ≈ 8 | ≥ 700 HV |
| 936 | 1.7015 | 15Cr3 | - | Surface hardening | ≥ 440 | 690-880 | ≈ 11 | - |
| 17 | 1.7131 | G16MnCr5 | SAE 5115 | Surface hardening | ≥ 600 | 900-1200 | ≈ 10 | ≥ 700 HV |
| 914 | 1.7321 | 20MoCr4 | AISI 4118 / 4120 / 4121 | Surface hardening | - | - | - | - |
| 1.7242 | G16CrMo4 | - | Surface hardening | - | 600-800 | - | ≥ 680 HV | 1.7242 |
Hardenable and nitrided steel
Nitrided steel for components with a high abrasion resistance combined with a high tensile strength.
| CX no. | Mat. no. | Symbol | Similar to | Heat treatment | Proof stress Rp0,2 | Tensile strength (N/mm2) | Elongation (%) | Hardness |
| 10 | 1.0503 | C45 | GS 60 | Refining | ≥ 500 | 700-850 | 15-25 HRc | |
| 935 | 1.5028 | C30 | - | Refining | ≥ 400 | 600-750 | ≥ 15 | - |
| 951 | 1.6220 | G20Mn5 | - | Refining | ≥ 300 | 500-650 | ≥ 22 | - |
| 12 | 1.6582 | 34CrNiMo6 | - | Refining | ≥ 450-1150 | 600-1350 | ≥ 6-12 | 22-55 HRc |
| 937 | 1.7034 | 37Cr4 | - | Refining | ≥ 650-950 | 750-1200 | ≥ 3-12 | 18-35 HRc |
| 9 | 1.7218 | 25CrMo4 | - | Refining | ≥ 600 | 750-900 | ≥ 10 | - |
| 910 | 1.7220 | 34CrMo4 | - | Refining | ≥ 550-800 | 700-1050 | ≥ 6-10 | 25-40 HRc |
| 11 | 1.7225 | GS-42CrMo4 | AISI 4140 | Refining | ≥ 650-1250 | 800-1350 | ≥ 4-10 | 22-58 HRc |
| 11 | 1.7231 | G42CrMo4 | AISI 4140 | Refining | ≥ 650-1250 | 800-1350 | ≥ 4-10 | 22-58 HRc |
| 41 | 1.8160 | G51CrV4 | SEW 835 | Refining | ≥ 850 | 1100-1250 | ≥ 6 | 34-58 HRc |
Tooling steel
A steel alloy characterised by a high degree of abrasion resistance and toughness. Therefore suitable for tools that must endure heavy loads.
| CX no. | Mat. Nr. | Symbol | Similair to | Heat treatment | Fe | C | Si | Mn |
| 19 | 1.2346 | GX38CrMoV5-1 | AISI H11 | Hardening | rest | 0,36-0,42 | 0,90-1,20 | 0,30-0,50 |
| 925 | 1.2361 | X91CrMoV18 | - | Hardening | rest | 0,85-0,95 | < 1,0 | < 1,0 |
| 48 | 1.2363 | X100CrMoV5 | - | Hardening | rest | 0,95-1,05 | 0,10-0,40 | 0,40-0,80 |
| 44 | 1.2419 | 105WCr6 | - | Hardening | rest | 1,00-1,10 | 0,15-0,30 | 0,80-1,10 |
| 45 | 1.2436 | X210CrW12 | AISI D6 | Hardening | rest | 2,00-2,25 | 0,10-0,40 | 0,15-0,45 |
| 905 | 1.2562 | 142WV13 | - | Hardening | rest | 1,35-1,45 | 0,15-0,30 | 0,25-0,35 |
| 43 | 1.2602 | GX165CrMoV12 | - | Hardening | rest | 1,55-1,75 | 0,20-0,40 | 0,20-0,40 |
| 901 | 1.2710 | 45NiCr6 | - | Hardening | rest | 0,40-0,50 | 0,15-0,35 | 0,50-0,80 |
| 915 | 1.2721 | 50NiCr13 | - | Hardening | rest | 0,45-0,55 | 0,15-0,35 | 0,40-0,60 |
| 950 | 1.3505 | 100Cr6 | - | Soft annealing | rest | 0,95-1,05 | 0,15-0,30 | 0,25-0,40 |
Stainless steel
An alloy characterised by a high degree of corrosion-resistance and toughness. Stainless steel is often used in corrosive environments.
| CX no. | Mat. no. | Symbol | Similar to | Heat treatment | Proof stress Rp0,2 | Tensile strength (N/mm²) | Elongation (%) | Hardness |
| 947 | 1.4008 | GX7CrNiMo12-1 | AISI 410 | Refining | ≥ 440 | 590-790 | ≈ 15 | ≥ 90 HRb |
| 7 | 1.4027 | GX20Cr14 | - | Refining | ≥ 400 | 590-790 | ≈ 15 | 18-50 HRc |
| 957 | 1.4036 | GX46Cr13 | - | Refining | - | 750-900 | - | 15-53 HRc |
| 22 | 1.4059 | GX22CrNi17 | - | Refining | 600- 750 | 800-950 | ≈ 8 | 22-50 HRc |
| 941 | 1.4162 | X2CrMnNiN21-5-1 | LDX 2101® | Solution annealing + quench hardening | - | - | - | - |
| 25 | 1.4308 | GX5CrNi19-10 | AISI 304 / CF8 | Solution annealing + quench hardening | > 175 | > 440 | > 30 | 75-90 HRb |
| 34 | 1.4309 | GX2CrNi19-11 | AISI 304L / CF3 | Casting condition | > 210 | 440-460 | > 30 | 70-80 HRb |
| 24 | 1.4317 | GX4CrNi13-4 | - | Refining | > 650 | 800-1000 | > 15 | 22-30 HRc |
| 27 | 1.4408 | GX5CrNiMi19-11-2 | AISI 316 / CF8M | Solution annealing + quench hardening | > 200 | > 450 | > 20 | 75-90 HRb |
| 28 | 1.4409 | GX2CrNiMi19-11-2 | AISI 316L / CF3M | Solution annealing + quench hardening | > 200 | > 450 | > 20 | 75-90 HRb |
| 945 | 1.4468 | GX2CrNiMoN25-6-3 | - | Casting condition | > 650 | > 22 | > 92 HRb | |
| 955 | 1.4470 | GX2CrNiMoN22-5-3 | - | Normal annealing | > 450 | 680-880 | > 30 | > 93 HRb |
| 26 | 1.4827 | GX8CrNiNb19-10 | - | Solution annealing + quench hardening | > 175 | > 440 | > 20 | 75-95 HRb |
| 924 | 1.4815 | GX8CrNiNb19-10 | - | - | - | - | - | - |