Part 3 of the Investment Checkoff List Series we will cover using investment.

    This is meant to serve as a reminder or quality-control list. The information in parenthesis is a possible condition which may result from lack of, or improper control of the parameter.

    Investment:

    • Water tempreture.............Too hot, sets too quick causing nodules; too cold sets too slow, causes investment weakness and/or watermarks
    • Investment tempreture.....Too hot, sets too quick causing nodules; too cold sets too slow, causes investment weakness and/or watermarks
    • Investment storage..........Moisture may cause weaking of investment (fins)
    • Ratio of investment to water...Too much water extends work time and weak investment; too little cuts time causing grainy surface or nodules
    • Mixing of investment........Insufficient vacuum causes nodules or bubbles on pieces
    • Turbulence on filling flask....Fine pieces may be bent or broken off
    • Vacuum on investment......Insufficient vacuum causes nodules or bubbles on pieces
    • Vibration of investment......Insufficient vibration causes nodules or bubbles on pieces; too long may cause fins or spauling if investment starts to set
    • Time to setting up.............Too long causes weakness; too short grainy surface or fins
    • Moving to early/rough movement.....Results in fins or cracks
    • Cure time after investing....placing in oven too early may cause fins or spauling