Copper Alloys in Investment Casting Technology

S. Rzadkosz, J. Zych, A. Garbacz-Klempka, J. Kozana, M. Piękoś, J. Kolczyk, Ł. Jamrozowicz, AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Foundry Engineering, Krakow, Poland M. Kranc, Foundry Research Institute, Krakow, Poland T. Stolarczyk, Copper Museum in Legnica, Poland This paper presents research results in the field of casting technology of copper and copper alloys using the investment casting technology, both from historical as well as modern technology perspective. The analysis of exemplary elements of the old casting moulds is included, as well as the Bronze Age casts. The chemical content of various copper alloys was determined and the application of lost wax method was confirmed in the Bronze Age workshop. At present, investment casting method is used for manufacturing high-quality casts, especially products for power engineering that is why it demands respecting very rigorous technological requirements. The casts were characterised based on microstructure research, chemical composition and conductivity in relation to oxygen content.