Casting Investment

Prepared by :-
Prity Narzary
BDS ist year
Roll no : 41
Government Dental College,
Silchar
contents:-
1. Definition
2. Materials required
3. Classification
4. Properties
5. Types
Definition
⚫ Ceramic material which is suitable for forming a mold
into which a metal /alloys is appropriately casted. The
process of forming this mold is called investing.
 Materials required for investment:-
⚫ General investment material contains
a) Refractory material
b) Binders
c) Modifiers (chemicals)

a) Refractory
A materials that withstands high temperatures without decomposition or disintegration, e.g. silica
Silica exists at least four allotropics form
a) Quartz
b) Tridymite
c) Cristobalite
d) Fused quartz
They functions two function-
Acts as a material that can withstand high temperatures.
Regulate the thermal expansion.

b) Binder
A material which will set and bind together the particles of refractory, e.g. gypsum, phosphate and
silicate.The common binder used for gold alloys is dental stone (alpha-hemihydrate). The investments
for casting Co-Cr alloys use ethyl silicate, ammonium sulphate or sodium phosphate.

c) Chemical modifiers
NaCl, boric acids, potassium sulfate, graphite, Cu-powder, or MgO are added in small quantities to
modify properties.
Classification:-
⚫ The classification coves all refractory materials in dentistry including casting investment, brazing
investment, refractory dies.
a) Based on application-
Type I- for construction of inlays, crown, other fixed restorations.
Type II- for construction of complete or partial dentures or other removable appliances.
Type III- for the constructions of cast used in brazing procedures.
Type IV- for the construction of refractory dies.

b) Sub class based on burnout method

class I – recommended for burnout by a slow- or step- heating method.
class II- recommended for burnout by a quick –heating method.

c) Based on type of binder used

They all contains silica as the refractory material. The type of binder used is different.
1) Gypsum bonded investment
2) Phosphate bonded investment
3) Ethyl silica bonded investments
General Properties
a) Refractory material should high temperature tolerance without decomposition.
b) Binder helps to set and bind together particles of refractory substance.
c) Mold should expand to compensate for casting shrinkage on cooling.
d) Fine particle size.
e) Easy to manipulate and with suitable setting time.
f) Investment material should not decomposed at room temperature.
g) Economical
h) After casting it should break away readily from the surfaces of the metal and should not reacts
chemically with it .
 Gypsum Bonded Investment:-
⚫ According to ADA specimen no.2.
⚫ It is divided into Type I, type II, type III, type IV based on whether the application to be fabricated is fixed or removable
and on the method of obtaining the expansion required to compensate for the contraction of the molten alloys during
solidification .

⚫ Two sub classes based on the method of burnout process.

⚫ Type I for casting of inlays or crowns. When the compensation for alloys casting shrinkage is accomplished
principally by thermal expansion of the investment.
⚫ Type II for inlays and crown, onlays, but the major mode of compensation for alloys shrinkage during
solidification is by hygroscopic expansion .
Type III rarely used in the construction of the partial dentures with gold alloys.

Composition
1) Refractory - form of SiO2 - 60-65%
2) Binder- alpha hemihydrates of gypsum- 30-35%
3) Chemical modifiers - NaCl, boric acid potassium sulphate, graphite , copper powder,
magnesium oxide – 5%
Functions
⚫ Silica=Acts as a refractory during heating . Regulates thermal expansion. Increase setting expansion of stone .
⚫ binder =it imparts strength to the mold .Contributes to the mold expansion. Prevents shrinkage of gypsum when
heated above 300C regulate setting expansion , regulate setting time .
Manipulation
⚫ The measurement quality of powder and water is mixed manually using a flexible rubber bowl and
spatula or in a vacuum invested mixing machine
setting reaction :-
when the water is mixed the alpha hemihydrate react to form dihydrate to form a solid mass which
binds the silica particles together .

Setting time :-
For inlay investment - not less than 5 mins and not more than 25 mins.
For modern inlays - sets initially 9 to 18 mins .

Factors controlling setting time :-

1. Manufacturing process
2. Mixing time and rate .
3. Temperature
4. Modifier
-accelerators
-retarders
 Properties
1) Thermal behavior of gypsum
when gypsum is heated a high temperature above 700C slight expansion and greater amount of contraction
as it decomposes and release SO2 and contaminates the casting with sulfides of silver and copper

2) Thermal behavior of silica

a) quartz heated
alpha quartz ( low temp.) 573C beta quartz( high temp.), this transformation is called inversion accompanied by
linear expansion of 0.45%.
b) Cristobalite - alpha cristobalite ( low temp.) 200C- 270C beta cristobalite( high temp.)
c) Two inversion of tridymite occurs at 117C and 163C respectively.
d) Fused quartz- It exhibit no inversion at any temperature below its fusion form .
The beta forms are stable only above the transition temperature. On cooling, it change back to low or alpha form.
As alpha form changes to beta form density decreases, volume increases, rapid increase in linear expansion.
Based on type of silica- Gypsum bonded investment is
a) Quartz investment
b) Cristobalite investment
 Properties
3) Expansion
a) Normal setting expansion –
gypsum + silica increase setting
expansion.
The silica particles probably interferes with the
intermeshing and interlocking of the crystals as
they form. Thus the thrust of the crystals is
outward during growth and they increase expansion.
They may be regulated by retarders and accelerators.
Type I investments -0.05%(max)
Modern investment shows-0.4%
Properties
b) Hygroscopic setting expansion(HSE) –
It occurs when the gypsum product is allow to set in contact with heated water. It’s magnitude is greater than the normal
setting expansion.
Type 2 –setting expansion – 1.2-2.2%

Factors affecting HSE

o Effect of composition
o W/P ratio
o Temperature
o Effect time of immersion
o Spatulation
o Shelf life
o Confinement of the investment
o Affect of water

c) Thermal expansion
Hygroscopic expansion technique- 0.5 to 0.6%.
Normal expansion- 1 to 2%.
Type I investment should have T.E. not less than 1 nor greater than 1.6%.

Factors affecting TE-

a)Amount and type of silica used
b)W/P ratio, more the water, less the TE.
c)Effect of chemical modifiers- small quantity- increase TE and eliminates the contraction caused by gypsum.
Properties
4) compressive strength-
more than 2MPa.

Factors affecting
a) Alpha hemihydrate- increase compressive strength
b) Use of chemical modifiers
c) water- more water during mixing reduce its strength
d) Temperature
heating the investment above 700C may increase or decrease strength as much as 65% depending on
the composition . The greatest reduction in strength upon heating is found in investments containing NaCl.
cooling –at room temperature- strength decrease

5) Porosity
The More the gypsum crystals present in the set investment the less is its porosity . The less the hemihydrate
content and greater the amount of gauging water , the more is it’s porosity.
coarse particles + fines particle = less porosity

6) Finess-
The finer the investment , the smaller will be the surface irregularities on the casting.

7) Storage-
Investment should be stored in air tight container and moisture proof containers. Purchased in small quantities.
uses
⚫ For casting of inlays fixed partial dentures removable partial denture framework using gold alloys
and other low fusing alloys .
Hygroscopic thermal inlays casting investment
⚫ The investment contain a blend of quartz and cristoballite as the refractory . For hygroscopic
expansion technique , the investment is heated upto 482C(immersed in the water).
⚫ When the thermal casting technique is used the investment( is not immersed in water but ) is heated

to 649C to achieved expansion .

Investments for casting high melting alloys
⚫ The metal ceramic alloys and cobalt chromium alloys have high melting temperature. They
are cast in molds at 850C to 1100C. At these temperature , the gypsum bonded investment
disintegrates. Hence, investment which can withstands higher temperature are required. The binder (
phosphate and silicate) in these investments can withstand high temperatures.
⚫ The investments used for these purpose
a) Phosphate bonded investments
c) Magnesia/ alumina /zirconia based investments for titanium.
Phosphate bonded investment
⚫ Phosphate bond investments are perhaps the most widely utilised investment in dentistry. This is
because a substantial amount of cast dental structure today use as high fusing noble or base metal
alloys.

⚫ Classification:-
a) based on application
Type I , TypeII , Type III, Type IV
B) based on burnout- Two subclasses

Supplied as –
Powder in packets of varying weight with special liquid.
Composition:-

Powder Liquid

1) Ammonium diacid phosphate- ⚫ Special liquid supplied by the manufacturer.

⚫ It gives strength at room temperatue The liquid is a form of silica sol in water ,
⚫ Reacts with silica at high temperature to which gives higher thermal strength.
increase strength at casting temperature
⚫ It is soluble in water and provides phosphate
ions .
2) Silica -
⚫ In the form of quartz and cristoballite function
as refractory
3) Magnesium oxide-
Reacts with phosphate ions
4)Carbon-
⚫ Carbon helps to produce clean casting and
helps in easier divestment from
the mold .
⚫ For noncompatible alloys carbon free
investments are preferred.
Manipulation
⚫ P/L ratio=16-23 ml /100gm
⚫ The powder is mixed with a measured amount of liquid using a bowl and spatula.
⚫ Following hand mixing =20 seconds mechanical mixing under vacuum =90seconds
⚫ Working time =8-9 minutes
⚫ The mixed material is vibrated into casting ring or agar mold( RPD frame work).
⚫ The material is allowed to bunch set for a minimum 30-45 minutes depending on the particular
investment.

⚫ Factors affecting Setting time –

1) Temperature of mix and environment.
2) Increasing the mixing time accelerates the set.
3) If the liquid powder ratio increase then delays setting time and more working time.

⚫ Setting reaction
NH4H2PO4 + MgO + H2O = NH4MgO4.H2O
ammonium di phosphate magnesium oxide water investment green strength
or room temperature strength

At higher temperature
NH4H2PO4 + Silica = Silicophosphate( that increase the strength of investment)
 Properties
1)Expansion-
Phosphate investment get their expansion from three sources.
a) wax pattern expansions The heat during setting allows a significant expansions of the wax
pattern
b) Setting expansion =0.7 to 1%
c) Thermal expansion= 1 to 1.5 %
Factors affecting expansion-
a) Special liquid to water ratio : The greater the concentration of special liquid to water the greater the
thermal and greater the thermal and setting expansion.
b) Powder to liquid ratio: A greater powder to liquid ratio increases expansion.
2)Strength- generally low
Wet strength ranges -4 to 10MPa important for handling the set material prior to casting.
Dry strength ranges: The strength of the investment under high temperatures.
3) Thermal reaction :
when heated at high temperature phosphate bonded investment undergo thermochemical reaction.
Silica remains essentially unchanged .binders goes through various phases.On heating the material
initially dehydrates to (NH4MgPO4.H2O)n, it degrates into polymeric (Mg2P2O7)n crystalline
(Mg2P2O7), then reacts with excess MgO present to form the final product Mg3(PO4)2
4) Flow : Low flow when mixed .
5) Surfaces smoothness :
Early Phosphate bonded investment – rough casting with respect to Gypsum bonded investment.
Modern – Improved and approached smooth surfaces.
Uses
⚫ For casting high fusing alloys
eg. High fusing noble metal alloys,
Metal ceramics alloys ,
Based metal alloys like Ni-Cr and Co-Cr.
Silica bonded investment
⚫ The Silica is the binder. It is derived from ethyl silicate or aqueous dispersion of colloidal silica or sodium.
These are less commonly used.

⚫ Types
Based on the binder used two types may be seen. One such investment consist of silica refractory, which
is bonded by the hydrolysis of ethyl silicate in the presences of HCl. The product of the hydrolysis is the
formation of a colloidal solution of silicic acid and ethyl alcohol.
Si(OC2H5)4 + 4H2 HCl Si(OH)4 + 4C2H4OH

Ethyl silicate has the disadvantage of containing inflammable components which are required for
manufacture .
Sodium Silicate and colloidal silica are more commonly used as binders because of the above
disadvantage. The investment are supplied along with two bottles of special liquid. One bottle contains
dilute water soluble silicate solution such as sodium silicate. The other bottle usually contains diluted acid
solution such as HCl.

⚫ Manipulation
The content of each bottle can be stored indefinitely . Before use, equal volume of each bottle is mixed
so that hydrolysis can take place and freshly prepared silicic acid is formed. The powder/liquid ratio is
according to manufacturer’s instruction.
SILICA BONDED INVESTMENT
Specialised refractory materials
⚫ Phosphate bonded refractory casts for RPDS(Type 2).
1. Investment for ceramics
2. Investment for Titanium casting

⚫ Silica bonded investments

⚫ Brazing(soldering) investment.
THANK YOU