Utica, New York Patent of the Year – 2024/2025
Remet Corporation has been awarded the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year for their innovative investment casting shell binder technology. Their invention, detailed in U.S. Patent No. 12097553, titled ‘Investment casting shell binders and compositions’, introduces a novel binder comprising microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) to enhance the strength and build thickness of investment casting shells.
Investment casting, commonly known as lost-wax casting, is a precision manufacturing process used to create complex metal parts. The process involves coating a disposable preform with a ceramic shell, which is then heated to remove the preform and harden the shell before pouring in molten metal. The quality of the shell is crucial for the final product’s integrity.
Remet’s patented binder utilizes MFC, hydrophilic fibrils with diameters between 1 nm and 1 μm, to improve the shell’s structural properties. When combined with a wide distribution of fused silica particles, this binder composition results in shells with enhanced thickness and strength. This advancement allows for the production of more robust and precise metal components, particularly beneficial in industries requiring high-performance parts, such as aerospace and medical devices.
By incorporating MFC into the binder system, Remet Corporation has significantly improved the investment casting process, offering manufacturers a more reliable and efficient method for producing complex metal parts.