There are two similar investment casting processes, water glass investment casting and silica sol investment casting. Widely used in steel castings.

Similarities between water glass investment casting and silica sol investment casting
Both casting processes are suitable for parts with complex shapes and thin-walled parts.
Both silica sol investment casting and water glass investment casting have no parting line, which can manufacture complex shape parts that are not suitable for sand casting, such as impellers, etc.
. Wall thicknesses as low as 1.5mm and bore diameters as small as 5mm. The weight of each part ranges from 2 grams to 70 kilograms.

The difference between water glass investment casting and silica sol investment casting
Glue is different. As the name suggests, the adhesive for silica sol investment casting is silica sol. At the same time, the binder of water glass investment casting is water glass
The shell drying process is different. The silica sol shell is naturally dried under a constant temperature and humidity environment. This requires more time and cost. The water glass housing is dried by chemical curing agents. This requires less time and lower cost.
Wax is different. Silica sol wax is medium temperature, water glass wax is low temperature.
Casting materials are different. Usually carbon steel is suitable for water glass investment casting, but silica sol investment casting can manufacture carbon steel, stainless steel, superalloy, etc.
Silica sol investment casting parts are of better quality. This is more accurate size and smooth surface.