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PMI Answers the Ten Most Asked Questions
About Investment Casting
Since ductile iron was developed in the 1940s, this remarkable metal has proved its value in tens of thousands of engineering and casting applications. Ductile iron is created by an alloying process which converts the crack-promoting graphite flakes of gray iron into nodules. With this microstructural transformation, the metal acquires superior ductility, elongation
characteristics, and machinability. The ductile iron family offers the design engineer a unique combination of strength, wear resistance, fatigue resistance, and toughness, as well as excellent ductility characteristics. In all its grades, ductile iron exhibits mechanical properties that make it an ideal alloy for investment casting.
Ductile iron represents the fastest growing segment of the iron market. It's a
cost-effective substitute for carbon and low alloy steels, and in some applications, ductile iron
can even outperform steel. By applying the two-stage heat treatment process known as austempering, the metal acquires even more advantageous properties, challenging the performance of medium grades of steel.
The qualities of ductile iron make it an ideal metal for the design freedom and precision available through investment casting. The metal and the process have the potential to provide complex parts with high dimensional accuracy, exceptional detail, and excellent economics.
Achieving the full potential of ductile iron requires superior metallurgical process control, as well as the highest levels of skill in part design, ceramics, and metal pouring. To realize the joint benefits of ductile iron and investment casting, you need
PRECISION METALSMITHS, INC.
PRECISION METALSMITHS, INC. was one of the first investment foundries in the world to pour ductile iron as well as a pioneer in offering castings with austempered ductile iron
(ADI). We maintain the demanding controls of chemistry, process procedures, timing, and temperature required to retain our certification by the Ductile Iron Society. In more than two decades of work with ductile iron alloys, PRECISION METALSMITHS, INC. has developed proprietary processes and equipment which enable us to provide castings that take full advantage of this metal's properties. Our on-going research and development efforts ensure that our castings reflect the latest advancements in foundry technology. Operating from facilities in Cleveland, Ohio, and Markesan, Wisconsin, PRECISION METALSMITHS, INC. has earned a worldwide reputation for industry leadership, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
PMI was the first investment foundry to be certified by the Ductile Iron Society. We remain the only investment casting house whose process controls meet the strict certification standards
of this organization.
 Right: PMI's investment casting process offers superior quality and economics. An original sand-cast part is shown on the left. The converted ductile iron investment casting from PMI on the right provided the customer with better quality, near net shape, improved surface finish, elimination of most costly machining, reduction in rejected parts and significant cost savings.
0.1471bs., actual size of both parts together is 4.25".
PMI Answers the Ten Most Asked Questions
About Investment Casting
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