Part 4 of the Investment Checkoff List Series we will cover the burnout process.

    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.

    Burnout:
    • Calibrated oven.........................................Don't exceed 1450°F, burt investment causes dark, rough castings
    • Heat distribution in burnout oven..............Too hot a flask causes porosity; too cold incompletes
    • Loading methods in oven...........................Too hot a flask causes porosity; too cold incompletes
    • Air flow through the oven..........................Too hot a flask causes porosity; too cold incompletes
    • Actual cycle time and tempretures.............What the dials say isn't always so; calibrate regularly
    • Wax residue burn out complete..................Black spots, shiny spots, incompletes all may result from varying carbon deposits
    • Time flask is held at pouring temperature...Too short a time at final cycle and the flask will be hotter than your oven causing porosity or brittle fractures
    • Final temperature of flask...........................Too hot a flask cause porosity; too cold incompletes