Cauxin

Cauxin is a trademarked brand name for a type of sodium silicate-based investment casting binder used primarily in the foundry industry. Investment casting, also known as lost-wax casting, is a manufacturing process that relies on precise molds to create complex metal parts. Cauxin serves as a crucial component in creating these molds.

The primary function of Cauxin is to bind together the ceramic particles (typically silica-based) that form the investment casting shell. This shell is built up in layers around a wax pattern, creating a robust, heat-resistant mold capable of withstanding the high temperatures of molten metal.

Cauxin, as a sodium silicate, undergoes a hardening process, usually through the application of a setting agent or by drying, which causes the liquid silicate to solidify and bind the ceramic particles. This creates a strong and rigid shell capable of replicating the intricate details of the original wax pattern. The wax is then removed (often through melting or burning), leaving behind the hollow ceramic shell ready to receive the molten metal.

The properties of Cauxin, such as its viscosity and reactivity, are critical to the success of the investment casting process. Foundries carefully control the concentration and application of Cauxin to achieve the desired shell characteristics, including strength, permeability, and surface finish. It's important to consult the manufacturer's guidelines and safety data sheets (SDS) when using Cauxin.