Slurry coating question

[plastercaster]

Is there any reason why using a slurry coating as a solid mold, like a plaster mold in a vacuum flask, won't work?

I have a casting process that currently uses a vacuum flask, and a plaster to cast non-ferrous alloys. Due to the superheat and reactivity of my copper casts, it has become a real pain to cast the copper parts.

I was hoping to find some kind of alternative but it is proving very difficult. I like the properties of the slurry coats that I have found online, but am disappointed by their limited (to me) application. But why think inside the box?

Expense is no real problem, if I can get this process to work...

 

[btrueblood]

Excessive thickness of some ceramics as they dry/cure will cause them to crack. Investment-casting slurry is applied in thin coats to help prevent them from cracking, or at least so I've been told.

 

[plastercaster]

ah so.

this is definitely an issue... conquerable? perhaps...
I am going to probe a little deeper some of the companies I have been chatting with...

 

[SMF1964]

Are you talking about something like sandcasting?

 

[plastercaster]

like sandcasting in that the flask is loaded with mold material? yes

 

[illium98]

Yes. Pre-heat, cooling rate, thermal-shock, number of dip-coats, kaowool, all carefully controlled. Why using flasks? Casting weight? Highly-automated?

"Due to the superheat and reactivity of my copper casts, it has become a real pain to cast the copper parts."

How? Why?