Investment Casting Materials and Alloys

Material selection in investment casting starts with the part’s service conditions: load, temperature, environment, weight target and subsequent operations. On this page you can compare commonly used investment casting alloys group by group, using standard values.

Comparison of Material Groups

Density and strength ranges come from the tables below. The other columns are a relative assessment between groups, not a property of any single alloy.

Group	Density (g/cm³)	Rm (MPa)	Corrosion	High temperature	Wear	Machinability	Relative cost
Carbon steels	7.85	380–862	Poor	Poor	Medium	Good	Low
Low-alloy steels	7.85	550–1310	Poor	Medium	Good	Good	Medium
Tool steels	7.7–8.2	≤60 HRC	Poor	Good	Very good	Poor	High
Austenitic stainless	7.9–8.0	425–550	Very good	Good	Medium	Medium	High
Martensitic and PH stainless	7.7–7.8	620–1551	Medium	Medium	Good	Medium	Medium
Duplex stainless	7.8	620–690	Very good	Medium	Good	Poor	High
Heat-resistant steels	7.7–8.0	450–515	Good	Very good	Medium	Poor	High
Aluminum	2.7	205–415	Good	Poor	Poor	Very good	Medium
Bronze and copper	7.45–8.9	207–760	Good	Medium	Good	Good	High
Magnesium	1.8	218–270	Poor	Medium	Poor	Very good	High
Ductile iron	7.1	448–689	Poor	Poor	Medium	Good	Low
Nickel	8.2–8.9	345–860	Very good	Very good	Medium	Poor	Very high
Cobalt	8.3–8.4	655–790	Very good	Very good	Very good	Poor	Very high
Titanium	4.4	860–895	Very good	Medium	Medium	Poor	Very high

BRK Metal’s main alloys are 4140, 316, 304 and low-carbon steels. We also cast bronze, aluminum (mostly A356) and magnesium. Our metallurgical engineers help you choose the right alloy for your application. The labels in the tables show each alloy’s status at BRK Metal:

Regular Alloys and groups BRK Metal casts regularly.
By project Common in the industry; feasibility is discussed per project.
Vacuum required Requires vacuum melting; please discuss before requesting a quote.

Jump to a group: Carbon Steels · Low-Alloy Steels · Tool Steels · Austenitic Stainless Steels · Martensitic and Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steels · Duplex and Super Duplex Stainless Steels · Heat-Resistant Steels · Aluminum Alloys · Bronze and Copper Alloys · Magnesium Alloys · Ductile Iron · Nickel Alloys · Cobalt Alloys · Titanium Alloys

Detailed alloy pages: CF8M / 1.4408, CF8 / 1.4308, 4140 / G42CrMo4, A356 / EN AC-42100.

How to Choose an Alloy

Load: Quench and temper steels such as 4140 and 4340, or 17-4, suit strength and toughness requirements.
Corrosion: Consider 304 for general service, 316 for chlorides, and duplex or nickel alloys for harsher conditions.
Temperature: Heat-resistant steels such as HK and HT, nickel and cobalt alloys are used at high temperatures.
Weight: A356, magnesium and titanium alloys reduce mass.
Wear: Tool steels, Stellite and aluminum bronzes stand out.
Cost: Where the specification allows, consider carbon or low-alloy steel first.

Contact

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Carbon Steels

The most economical steel group in investment casting. As carbon rises, strength and hardness increase while weldability and ductility fall. ASTM A732 is written specifically for investment castings; EN 10293 grades are common in Europe.

Alloy	Reference	Rm (MPa)	Rp0.2 (MPa)	A (%)	Key characteristic
IC 1020Regular	ASTM A732 1A · Annealed	414	276	24	Low carbon, good weldability, general engineering parts
GE2001.0420Regular	EN 10293 · Normalized	380–530	200	25	General-purpose cast steel, normalized
GE2401.0446Regular	EN 10293 · Normalized	450–600	240	22	General-purpose cast steel, normalized
GE3001.0558By project	EN 10293 · Normalized	600–750	300	15	General-purpose cast steel, normalized
G20Mn51.6220By project	EN 10293 · Normalized	480–620	300	20	Manganese cast steel, good weldability
G28Mn61.1165By project	EN 10293 · Normalized	520–670	260	18	Manganese cast steel, good weldability
IC 1030By project	ASTM A732 2A · Annealed	448	310	25	Medium carbon, hardenable by heat treatment
IC 1030By project	ASTM A732 2Q · Quenched, tempered	586	414	10	Medium carbon, hardenable by heat treatment
IC 1040By project	ASTM A732 3A · Annealed	517	331	25	Medium carbon, hardenable by heat treatment
IC 1040By project	ASTM A732 3Q · Quenched, tempered	689	621	10	Medium carbon, hardenable by heat treatment
IC 1050By project	ASTM A732 4A · Annealed	621	345	20	High hardness and wear resistance, harder to weld
IC 1050By project	ASTM A732 4Q · Quenched, tempered	862	689	5	High hardness and wear resistance, harder to weld

Low-Alloy Steels

Cr, Mo and Ni increase hardenability. The values below are minimums for the quenched and tempered condition. The tempering temperature is set according to the toughness required, and strength changes with it.

Alloy	Reference	Rm (MPa)	Rp0.2 (MPa)	A (%)	Hardness	Key characteristic
IC 4140G42CrMo4, 1.7231Regular	ASTM A732 8Q · Quenched, tempered	1241	1000	5	—	High-strength quench and temper steel, heavily loaded parts
G42CrMo41.7231Regular	EN 10293 · +QT2	850–1000	700	10	—	High-strength quench and temper steel, heavily loaded parts
IC 4130G26CrMo4, 1.7221By project	ASTM A732 7Q · Quenched, tempered	1030	793	7	—	Cr-Mo steel, balance of strength and toughness
G26CrMo41.7221By project	EN 10293 · +QT2	700–850	550	10	—	Cr-Mo steel, balance of strength and toughness
IC 4330By project	ASTM A732 9Q · Quenched, tempered	1030	793	7	—	Ni-Cr-Mo, through-hardening and high toughness
IC 4340By project	ASTM A732 10Q · Quenched, tempered	1241	1000	5	—	Ni-Cr-Mo, through-hardening and high toughness
G30NiCrMo141.6771By project	EN 10293 · +QT2	1100–1250	1000	7	—	Ni-Cr-Mo, through-hardening and high toughness
IC 4620By project	ASTM A732 11Q · Quenched, tempered	827	689	10	—	Case-hardening steel, hard surface with tough core
IC 8620By project	ASTM A732 13Q · Quenched, tempered	724	586	10	—	Case-hardening steel, hard surface with tough core
IC 8630By project	ASTM A732 14Q · Quenched, tempered	1030	793	7	—	Ni-Cr-Mo, through-hardening and high toughness
IC 6120By project	ASTM A732 5N · Normalized, tempered	586	379	22	—	Normalized and tempered, good ductility
IC 4020By project	ASTM A732 6N · Normalized, tempered	621	414	20	—	Normalized and tempered, good ductility
IC 6150By project	ASTM A732 12Q · Quenched, tempered	1310	1172	4	—	Cr-V steel for impact and spring-loaded parts
IC 52100By project	ASTM A732 15A · Annealed	—	—	—	≤100 HRB	Bearing steel, used in the hardened condition
80-50By project	ASTM A148	550	345	22	—	Structural steel ordered by strength class
90-60By project	ASTM A148	620	415	20	—	Structural steel ordered by strength class
105-85By project	ASTM A148	725	585	17	—	Structural steel ordered by strength class
130-115By project	ASTM A148	895	795	11	—	Structural steel ordered by strength class
150-135By project	ASTM A148	1035	930	7	—	Structural steel ordered by strength class

Tool Steels

ASTM A597 covers cast tool steels. Parts can be supplied annealed down to about 20 HRC, and suitable heat treatment reaches about 60 HRC. Final hardness depends on the grade and heat treatment.

Alloy	ASTM A597 grade	Key characteristic
A2By project	CA-2	Air hardening, low distortion in heat treatment
D2By project	CD-2	High C and Cr, highest wear resistance
O1By project	CO-1	Oil-hardening cold-work steel
S5By project	CS-5	Shock resisting
S7By project	CS-7	Shock resisting, high toughness
H13By project	CH-13	Hot-work steel, retains hardness at temperature
M2By project	CM-2	High-speed steel for cutting and wear parts

Austenitic Stainless Steels

The most widely used stainless group in investment casting. These grades do not harden by heat treatment and are tough and weldable. Cast grades differ in composition from their wrought counterparts, so orders should name the cast grade.

Alloy	Reference	Rm (MPa)	Rp0.2 (MPa)	A (%)	Key characteristic
CF8304, 1.4308Regular	ASTM A743 · Solution annealed	485	205	35	Cr-Ni, general corrosion resistance, food and process equipment
CF3304L, 1.4309By project	ASTM A743 · Solution annealed	485	205	35	Low carbon, resists intergranular corrosion after welding
CF8M316, 1.4408Regular	ASTM A351/A743 · Solution annealed	485	205	30	Mo addition, resists chlorides and pitting
CF3M316L, 1.4409By project	ASTM A743 · Solution annealed	485	205	30	Low-carbon 316 for welded parts in corrosive service
CF8C347, 1.4552By project	ASTM A351 · Solution annealed	485	205	30	Stabilized with Nb, for elevated-temperature service
CG8M317By project	ASTM A743 · Solution annealed	520	240	25	3–4% Mo, higher pitting resistance than 316
CK3MCuN254 SMOBy project	ASTM A743 · Solution annealed	550	260	35	6–7% Mo super austenitic, seawater and chlorides
CN7MAlloy 20By project	ASTM A743 · Solution annealed	425	170	35	High Ni and Cu, sulfuric acid service

Martensitic and Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steels

Hardened by heat treatment, with clearly higher strength than the austenitic group and generally more limited corrosion resistance. 17-4 and 15-5 types are set to different strength levels through the ageing temperature.

Alloy	Reference	Rm (MPa)	Rp0.2 (MPa)	A (%)	Hardness	Key characteristic
CA15410By project	ASTM A743	620	450	18	≤241 HB	12% Cr martensitic, hardenable, moderate corrosion resistance
CA6NM1.4317By project	EN 10213	760–960	550	15	—	13% Cr 4% Ni, pump, valve and turbine parts
CA40420By project	Typical · Hardened	1394–1551	896–1448	0–5	≤52 HRC	High-carbon 420 for cutting and wear parts
IC 416By project	Typical · Hardened	655–1394	517–1103	3–8	≤45 HRC	Sulfur-bearing, free machining
IC 440CBy project	Typical · Hardened	—	—	—	40–60 HRC	Hardest stainless group, wear parts
CB7Cu-117-4By project	ASTM A747 · H900	1170	1000	5	≥375 HB	High strength, hardest ageing condition
CB7Cu-117-4By project	ASTM A747 · H1025	1035	965	9	≥311 HB	Balance of strength and toughness
CB7Cu-117-4By project	ASTM A747 · H1150	860	670	10	≥269 HB	Higher toughness at a lower strength level
CB7Cu-215-5By project	ASTM A747 · H900	1170	1000	5	≥375 HB	Similar to 17-4, ferrite-free, better transverse toughness

Duplex and Super Duplex Stainless Steels

Ferrite and austenite are present together. Yield strength is about twice that of austenitic grades, with high resistance to chloride stress corrosion.

Alloy	Reference	Rm (MPa)	Rp0.2 (MPa)	A (%)	Key characteristic
CD3MN1.4470By project	ASTM A890 4A · Solution annealed	620	415	25	22% Cr duplex, strength and chloride resistance
CD4MCuN1.4517By project	ASTM A890 1B · Solution annealed	690	485	16	25% Cr duplex with Cu, abrasive and acidic media
CE3MN1.4469By project	ASTM A890 5A · Solution annealed	690	515	18	Super duplex, seawater applications
CD3MWCuNBy project	ASTM A890 6A · Solution annealed	690	450	25	Super duplex, seawater applications

Heat-Resistant Steels

ASTM A297 grades are used for furnace, heat-treatment and high-temperature parts. The strength shown is at room temperature; selection for hot service is based on creep and oxidation data.

Alloy	Reference	Rm (MPa)	Rp0.2 (MPa)	A (%)	Key characteristic
HF19Cr-9NiBy project	ASTM A297	485	240	25	Structural parts up to about 870 °C
HH26Cr-12NiBy project	ASTM A297	515	240	10	Up to about 1100 °C
HK26Cr-20NiBy project	ASTM A297	450	240	10	Up to about 1150 °C, good creep strength
HT17Cr-35NiBy project	ASTM A297	450	—	4	Up to about 1150 °C oxidizing, thermal shock resistance

Aluminum Alloys

Al-Si-Mg alloys are the first choice for lightweight parts. Density is about 2.7 g/cm³. T6 means solution treated and artificially aged. ASTM B26 and EN 1706 values apply to sand-cast test bars. More details: Aluminum Alloys

Alloy	Reference	Rm (MPa)	Rp0.2 (MPa)	A (%)	Hardness	Key characteristic
A356.0AlSi7Mg0,3Regular	ASTM B26 · T6	235	165	3.5	—	Most common investment-cast aluminum, castability and strength
EN AC-42100AlSi7Mg0,3Regular	EN 1706 · T6	230	190	2	75 HB	Most common investment-cast aluminum, castability and strength
A357.0By project	AA A357.0 · T6	310	250	3	85–115 HB	Be and higher Mg, stronger than A356, aerospace
356.0Regular	ASTM B26 · T6	205	140	3	—	General purpose, pressure-tight parts
C355.0By project	ASTM B26 · T6	250	170	2.5	—	Contains Cu, better at elevated temperature
EN AC-43000AlSi10MgRegular	EN 1706 · T6	220	180	1	75 HB	Good fluidity in thin sections
319.0By project	ASTM B26 · T6	215	140	1.5	—	Cu-Si alloy, machinable
201.0By project	ASTM B26 · T7	415	345	3	—	Cu-Ag, among the strongest cast aluminum alloys
204.0By project	ASTM B26 · T4	310	195	6	—	Al-Cu, high ductility and strength
535.0By project	ASTM B26 · F	240	125	9	—	Al-Mg, seawater corrosion resistance, bright surface
520.0By project	ASTM B26 · T4	290	150	12	—	Al-Mg, high elongation and impact strength

Bronze and Copper Alloys

Tin bronzes are used for bearings and pressure parts, aluminum bronzes for wear and seawater service, and red bronzes for valves and fittings. Density ranges from 7.45 to 8.9 g/cm³ by alloy. ASTM values apply to sand castings. More details: Bronze and Copper Alloys

Alloy	Reference	Rm (MPa)	Rp0.2 (MPa)	A (%)	Hardness	Key characteristic
C90300Regular	ASTM B584	276	124	20	70 HB	Tin bronze, bearings and pressure parts
C90500Regular	ASTM B584	276	124	20	—	10% Sn tin bronze, gears and bearings
C92200Regular	ASTM B584	234	110	22	—	Low-lead red bronze, steam and water fittings
C8360085-5-5-5Regular	ASTM B584	207	97	20	60 HB	Red bronze, valves and fittings, machines well
C93200SAE 660Regular	ASTM B584	207	97	15	65 HB	Leaded bearing bronze, plain bearings
CuSn10-CCC480KRegular	EN 1982	250	130	10	70 HB	European tin bronze, 10% Sn
CuSn12-CCC483KRegular	EN 1982	260	140	5	80 HB	European tin bronze, 12% Sn, higher hardness
C95200Regular	ASTM B148 · As cast	450	170	20	110 HB	Aluminum bronze, high ductility
C95400Regular	ASTM B148 · As cast	515	205	12	150 HB	Common aluminum bronze, wear and seawater
C95400Regular	ASTM B148 · Heat treated	620	310	6	190 HB	Common aluminum bronze, wear and seawater
C95500Regular	ASTM B148 · As cast	620	275	6	190 HB	Nickel-aluminum bronze, high strength
C95500Regular	ASTM B148 · Heat treated	760	415	5	200 HB	Nickel-aluminum bronze, high strength
C95800Regular	ASTM B148 · As cast	585	240	15	—	Ni-Al bronze, seawater corrosion and cavitation resistance
CuAl10Fe5Ni5-CCC333GRegular	EN 1982	600	250	13	140 HB	European Ni-Al bronze
C86300By project	ASTM B584	758	414	12	—	High-strength manganese bronze, heavy loads
C87300By project	ASTM B584	310	124	20	—	Silicon bronze, lead-free, corrosion resistance

Magnesium Alloys

The lightest structural casting metal, with a density of about 1.8 g/cm³. Values in the table are published typical values and should not be used as minimums. More details: Magnesium Alloys

Alloy	Reference	Rm (MPa)	Rp0.2 (MPa)	A (%)	Hardness	Key characteristic
AZ91ERegular	Typical · T6	260	130	3.9	75 HB	Most common Mg casting alloy, general purpose
AZ63ARegular	Typical · T6	260	120	3.8	—	Higher elongation than AZ91, impact loads
WE54ARegular	Typical · T6	270	180	4.3	85 HB	Rare-earth alloy, retains properties up to about 300 °C
ZE41ARZ5By project	Typical · T5	218	148	4.5	—	Up to about 150 °C, high-integrity parts

Ductile Iron

Offers a lower melting temperature than steel and good castability. Density is about 7.1 g/cm³. In investment casting it is considered as an alternative to carbon steel.

Alloy	Reference	Rm (MPa)	Rp0.2 (MPa)	A (%)	Key characteristic
65-45-12By project	ASTM A536	448	310	12	Ferritic structure, good ductility
80-55-06By project	ASTM A536	552	379	6	Ferrite-pearlite, strength and machinability
100-70-03By project	ASTM A536	689	483	3	Pearlitic, high strength

Nickel Alloys

Used for strong acids and high temperatures. Most superalloys are vacuum melted because Al and Ti oxidize in air. For alloys such as Inconel 713C, IN738, Mar-M 247 and Hastelloy X (e.g. AMS 5390, AMS 5391), values should be taken from the applicable specification.

Alloy	Reference	Rm (MPa)	Rp0.2 (MPa)	A (%)	Key characteristic
CZ100By project	ASTM A494	345	125	10	Commercially pure nickel, caustic media
M35-1By project	ASTM A494	450	170	25	Monel-type Ni-Cu, seawater
CY40By project	ASTM A494	485	205	30	Inconel 600 type, heat and corrosion
CW6MCBy project	ASTM A494	485	275	25	Inconel 625 type, Ni-Cr-Mo-Nb
CW12MWBy project	ASTM A494	495	275	4	Hastelloy C type, strong acids
Inconel 718AMS 5383Vacuum required	Typical · Aged	860	760	5–10	Age-hardened, creep strength up to about 700 °C

Cobalt Alloys

Used where wear, high temperature and corrosion occur together. ASTM A732 gives no room-temperature values for Grades 21 and 31; the table shows values at 820 °C.

Alloy	Reference	Rm (MPa)	Rp0.2 (MPa)	A (%)	Hardness	Key characteristic
CoCrMoBy project	ASTM F75 · As cast	655	450	8	—	Cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, surgical implants
Stellite 6By project	Typical · As cast	790	660	<1	36–46 HRC	36–46 HRC, wear and galling; elongation well below 1%
Grade 21Stellite 21By project	ASTM A732 · As cast	360	—	10	—	Values at 820 °C, creep and wear
Grade 31Stellite 31, X-40By project	ASTM A732 · As cast	380	—	10	—	Values at 820 °C, contains W, high temperature

Titanium Alloys

Density is about 4.4 g/cm³. Molten titanium reacts with air and with standard ceramic shells, so vacuum melting and a special shell system are required.

Alloy	Reference	Rm (MPa)	Rp0.2 (MPa)	A (%)	Key characteristic
Ti-6Al-4VGrade C-5Vacuum required	ASTM B367	895	825	6	Ti-6Al-4V, aerospace and high specific strength
Ti-6Al-4VUNS R56406Vacuum required	ASTM F1108	860	758	8	Ti-6Al-4V castings for surgical implants

Reading the Values and Sources

Rm is tensile strength, Rp0.2 is yield strength and A is elongation. Unless stated otherwise, values are the minimums of the relevant standard and apply to separately cast test bars. Values marked “Typical” are reference values published by manufacturers and organizations and are not guaranteed. Specimens cut from a part can differ with section thickness. Most standards other than ASTM A732 are not limited to investment casting. For an order, the standard and heat-treatment condition on the drawing and specification apply.

Standards: ASTM A732, A148, A297, A351, A494, A536, A597, A743, A747, A890, B26, B148, B367, B584, F75, F1108; EN 1706, EN 1982, EN 10213, EN 10283, EN 10293; AMS 5383. Published data: Luxfer MEL Technologies (ZE41A), Deloro (Stellite 6), Sturm Ruger investment casting tables, MetalTek (temperature limits of heat-resistant alloys), ForceBeyond (718).

For steel, stainless steel and more: steel investment casting, stainless steel investment casting, 304 vs 316, 4140 investment casting.

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