Materials for Custom Investment Casting


Selecting the right material is essential for the performance, durability, corrosion resistance, and manufacturability of custom casting parts.


At Zeren, we support a range of materials for investment casting and secondary machining, including stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, duplex stainless steel, and heat-resistant or wear-resistant steel.


Based on your application, environment, and technical requirements, we can help recommend a suitable material solution for both prototype and production projects.

Overview of custom investment casting parts in stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, and wear-resistant materials
Why Material Selection Matters in Investment Casting


Different casting materials offer different advantages in corrosion resistance, strength, heat resistance, wear performance, weldability, and machining behavior. Choosing the right material helps improve part reliability, reduce unnecessary machining or maintenance, and ensure that the component matches its working environment. For industrial applications, material selection should always be considered together with structure, tolerance, surface treatment, and end-use conditions.

corrosion resistance
strength
heat resistance
wear resistance
machinability

Explore Materials We Support

Stainless steel investment casting components
Stainless Steel
Ideal for applications requiring corrosion resistance, clean surfaces, and reliable performance in demanding environments. Commonly used for pump and valve parts, food equipment, medical components, and marine-related applications.

Explore Stainless Steel

Carbon steel casting parts for industrial applications
Carbon Steel

A practical and cost-effective option for structural, machinery, and general engineering parts that require good strength, machinability, and versatility.

Explore Carbon Steel

Alloy steel casting gear and structural components
Alloy Steel

Suitable for components that require enhanced strength, toughness, wear resistance, and heat treatment response for demanding industrial service conditions.

Explore Alloy Steel

Duplex stainless steel valve, pump housing, and lifting eye castings
Duplex Stainless Steel

Designed for harsh environments where both corrosion resistance and mechanical strength are important, especially for marine, chemical, and heavy-duty industrial applications.

Explore Duplex Stainless Steel

Heat-resistant and wear-resistant steel casting parts
Heat-Resistant & Wear-Resistant Steel

Used for applications exposed to elevated temperatures, abrasion, or continuous mechanical stress, helping extend service life in challenging environments.

Explore Heat-Resistant Steel

Stainless steel casting component with machined surfaces
Stainless Steel Investment Casting Materials

Stainless steel is one of the most widely used materials in investment casting because of its excellent corrosion resistance, strength, clean surface quality, and versatility. It is suitable for components used in fluid systems, medical equipment, food processing, marine environments, and other applications where durability and surface reliability are important. Stainless steel castings also support secondary machining well for critical sealing faces, holes, and assembly areas.


Typical Advantages

  1. Excellent corrosion resistance
  2. Good strength and durability
  3. Clean surface appearance
  4. Suitable for precision machining
  5. Good choice for hygienic or outdoor environments


Typical Applications

Pump and valve components, food processing fittings, medical equipment parts, marine-related hardware, and industrial equipment components.


Common Grades

304, 316, 316L, 201, 202, 410, 430

Chemical Composition of Stainless Steel
GBAISI/ASTMJISCSiMnPSCrNiNMo
(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)
1Cr18Ni9304SUS304≤0.08≤1.0≤2.0≤0.045≤0.0318-208-11
0Cr17Ni12Mo2316SUS316≤0.08≤1.0≤2.0≤0.045≤0.0316-1810-142-3
0Cr17Ni14Mo2316LSUS316L≤0.03≤1.0≤2.0≤0.045≤0.0316-1810-142-3
1Cr17Mn6Ni5N201SUS201≤0.15≤0.755.5-7.5≤0.06≤0.0316-183.5-5.5≤0.25
1Cr18Mn8Ni5N202SUS202≤0.15≤1.07.5-10.0≤0.06≤0.0317-194-6≤0.25
1Cr13410SUS410≤0.15≤1.0≤1.0≤0.04≤0.0311.5-13.5≤0.75
1Cr17430SUS430≤0.15≤1.0≤2.0≤0.045≤0.0316-18≤0.61-2

Discuss Stainless Steel Options

Carbon Steel Investment Casting Materials

Carbon steel is a practical material choice for many custom casting parts that require strength, versatility, and cost efficiency. It is commonly used in machinery, transportation, structural, and general engineering applications. Carbon steel also offers good adaptability for machining and heat treatment, making it suitable for components that require a balance between performance and manufacturing economy.


Typical Advantages

  1. Cost-effective material option
  2. Good strength for general engineering use
  3. Suitable for machining and welding
  4. Adaptable to heat treatment
  5. Widely used across industrial applications


Typical Applications

Machinery parts, brackets, housings, transportation components, construction-related castings, and general industrial parts.


Common Grades

1015, 1025, 1035, 1045, Q235, Q355

Carbon steel machined housing casting for industrial equipment
Chemical Composition of Carbon Steel
GBAISI/ASTMJISCSiMnPS
(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)
ZG200-4001015S15C≤0.2≤0.6≤0.8≤0.035≤0.035
ZG230-4501025S25C≤0.3≤0.6≤0.9≤0.035≤0.035
ZG270-5001035S35C≤0.4≤0.6≤0.9≤0.035≤0.035
ZG310-5701045S45C≤0.5≤0.6≤0.9≤0.035≤0.035
Q235A283GRCSS4000.14-0.22≤0.30.3-0.65≤0.045≤0.05
Q355A572GR50SM490C≤0.24≤0.55≤1.6≤0.035≤0.035

Discuss Carbon Steel Options

Alloy steel heavy-duty casting component

Alloy Steel Investment Casting Materials

Alloy steel is suitable for custom cast components that require enhanced mechanical performance, including higher strength, toughness, wear resistance, and heat treatment capability. By adjusting alloying elements such as chromium, nickel, and molybdenum, alloy steel can be used for more demanding parts in industrial machinery, tools, transportation systems, and engineering equipment.


Typical Advantages

  1. High strength and toughness
  2. Better wear resistance
  3. Suitable for heat treatment
  4. Good performance under demanding conditions
  5. Flexible property design through alloy composition


Typical Applications

Industrial machinery parts, engineering components, heavy-duty tools, structural parts, and wear-related applications.


Common Grades

42CrMo, 40Cr, Cr12MoV, 20CrNiMo

Chemical Composition of Alloy steel
GBAISI/ASTMJISCSiMnPSCrNiMoCu
(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)
42CrMo4140SCM 4400.38～0.450.17～0.370.50～0.80≤0.035≤0.0350.90～1.20≤0.300.15～0.25≤0.30
40Cr5140SCr 4400.37～0.440.17～0.370.50～0.80≤0.035≤0.0350.80～1.10≤0.30≤0.10≤0.30
Cr12MoVD2SKD110.17-0.230.17～0.370.6-0.95≤0.035≤0.0350.4-0.70.25-0.750.2-0.3≤0.30
20CrNiMo8620SNCM2200.38～0.450.17～0.370.50～0.80≤0.035≤0.0350.90～1.20≤0.300.15～0.25≤0.30

Discuss Alloy Steel Options

Duplex Stainless Steel Investment Casting Materials

Duplex stainless steel combines strong corrosion resistance with higher mechanical strength than many conventional stainless steel grades. It is especially suitable for demanding service environments involving chlorides, moisture, pressure, or corrosive media. For components used in marine, petrochemical, and chemical-processing environments, duplex stainless steel is often a preferred solution.


Typical Advantages

  1. Strong corrosion resistance
  2. High mechanical strength
  3. Good resistance to stress corrosion cracking
  4. Suitable for aggressive service environments
  5. Reliable long-term performance


Typical Applications

Marine components, petrochemical parts, pump and valve parts, chemical-processing equipment, and corrosion-critical industrial applications.


Common Grades

2205, 2507

Duplex stainless steel fluid system component
Chemical Composition of Duplex Stainless Steel
GBAISI/ASTMDINCSiMnPSCrNiMoN
(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)
2205S318031.4462≤0.03≤1.00≤2.00≤0.04≤0.0321-244.5-6.52.5-3.50.08-0.2
2507S327501.441≤0.03≤1.00≤1.2≤0.045≤0.0324-266-83-50.25-0.32

Discuss Duplex Stainless Steel Options

Heat-resistant and wear-resistant steel part

Heat-Resistant and Wear-Resistant Steel Investment Casting Materials

Heat-resistant and wear-resistant steels are used for parts that must perform under elevated temperatures, abrasive conditions, or repeated mechanical stress. These materials are suitable for industrial environments where service life and durability are critical, such as power generation, mining, heavy machinery, and manufacturing systems.


Typical Advantages

  1. Suitable for high-temperature service
  2. Better resistance to abrasion and wear
  3. Good mechanical stability under stress
  4. Helps improve part durability
  5. Useful for demanding industrial operating conditions


Typical Applications

Power engineering components, wear parts, machinery accessories, industrial heating environments, and heavy-duty operating systems.


Common Grades

310S, D3, 1.4116, GCr15

Chemical Composition of Heat-Resistant and Wear-Resistant Steel
GBAISI/ASTMDINCSiMnPSCrNiCu
(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)
2520310S1.4301≤0.08≤1.00≤2.00≤0.035≤0.0324-2619-22
Cr12D31.2082.00～2.30≤0.4≤0.4≤0.03≤0.0311.5-13.0≤0.25≤0.03
Cr15MoSAF23011.4116≤0.12≤1.00≤1.00≤0.04≤0.0314-16≤0.6
GCr15SAE52100100Cr60.95~1.050.15-0.350.25-0.45≤0.025≤0.0251.4-1.65≤0.3≤0.25

Discuss Heat-Resistant and Wear-Resistant Steel Options

How to Choose the Right Material for Your Casting Part

Material selection depends on the working environment, performance target, machining requirement, and cost expectation of the part. Below is a simple reference for comparing common material categories.

Stainless Steel
Best for corrosion resistance, clean finish, and versatile industrial use.

Carbon Steel

Best for cost-effective strength and general-purpose industrial components.

Alloy Steel

Best for enhanced strength, toughness, and wear performance.

Duplex Stainless Steel

Best for harsh corrosive environments requiring both strength and corrosion resistance.

Heat-Resistant / Wear-Resistant Steel

Best for elevated temperatures, abrasion, and continuous heavy-duty service.
If you are not sure which material is suitable for your part, our team can review your drawing, sample, or technical requirements and suggest a practical manufacturing option.
Common Industries We Support


Our investment casting materials are used across a wide range of industries, including pump and valve systems, industrial machinery, transportation equipment, petrochemical and marine applications, hardware and architectural components, medical equipment, and power engineering systems. Different materials can be selected according to corrosion resistance, structural load, thermal conditions, wear performance, and finishing requirements.

Pump & Valve

Industrial Machinery

Transportation

Petrochemical & Marine

Medical Equipment

Hardware & Architectural

Power Engineering & Instrumentation

Frequently Asked Questions About Investment Casting Materials
1. What materials are commonly used for investment casting?

Common materials include stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, duplex stainless steel, and heat-resistant or wear-resistant steel. The right choice depends on the application environment, strength requirements, corrosion conditions, and machining needs.
2. How do I choose the right material for my custom casting part?

Material selection usually depends on corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, operating temperature, wear conditions, and budget. After reviewing your drawing or sample, we can recommend a suitable material and process route.
3. Is stainless steel always better than carbon steel?

Not always. Stainless steel is usually preferred when corrosion resistance, clean surface finish, or exposure to moisture and chemicals is important. Carbon steel is often a more cost-effective choice for structural and general industrial parts where corrosion resistance is less critical. The right material depends on the application environment, mechanical requirements, and budget.
4. Can you machine cast parts after casting?

Yes. We provide both investment casting and CNC machining. Many parts require additional machining on sealing faces, holes, threads, datum surfaces, or other critical assembly areas.
5. Do you support prototype and low-volume projects?

Yes. We can support custom sample development and low- to medium-volume production based on the structure and requirements of the project.
6. Can you help recommend a material if I only have a drawing or sample?

Yes. We can review drawings, 3D files, or physical samples and suggest a suitable material option based on application needs and manufacturability.


Need Help Choosing the Right Material for Your Project?

Send us your drawing, sample, or application requirements, and our team will help evaluate a suitable material and manufacturing solution for your custom casting project.

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Engineer reviewing drawing with custom cast parts on workbench