Silica-free investment casting molds based on calcium zirconate

For the first time, CaZrO3 investment casting molds using a silica-free water-based binder system were successfully produced. Moreover, the rheological behavior of the slips and the chemical, physical and microstructural properties of the molds were extensively described. Investment casting of Ti6Al4V led to an exceptionally low hardness increase of the cast part, suggesting that only a slight corrosion reaction took place. Thus, the silica-free CaZrO3 investment casting molds contributed to an improved investment casting of titanium alloys.