Pressure casting using a supported shell mold

摘要

A method of casting including forming a shell mold around a pattern fabricated from an expendable material and then removing the expendable material from the shell mold. The shell mold is located within a housing such that an inlet port of the shell mold communicates with an opening in the housing. A supporting material is provided and substantially fills an open volume between an external surface of the shell mold and an interior surface of the housing. A molten material is then pressure cast through the inlet port and into the shell mold. The invention includes a mold assembly and a casting system useful in practicing the disclosed method.