The evaluation of factors affecting the castability of metal ceramic alloy--investment combinations.

An evaluation of the castability of metal ceramic alloy-investment combinations using a mesh test and utilizing a factorial design concept has shown that different metal ceramic alloys (gold-based, palladium-based, and nickel-chromium-based alloys) react differently, as far as castability is concerned, to various factors involved in the casting process. These factors were divided into two groups: procedural factors, that included sprue diameter, investing technique, and melting and casting method; and operator factors, which included alloy casting temperature, mould temperature, and heat-soak times. Each of these factors had two or three levels.