R&R® Advantage Jewelry Investment-Application Instructions

R&R® Advantage Jewelry Investment

Application Instructions : Updated: March 2005

These instructions are formulated for casting silver, brass, bronze, and other low-temperature alloys.

1. Refer to page 3 to determine the required amount of R&R ADVANTAGE investment and weigh it accurately.
2. Measure or weigh the necessary amount of water (1 gram = 1 ml, 1 fluid oz = 29.6 ml) and place it into a mixing bowl. Note: To maintain consistency in working time, keep water and powder temperatures between 72-85°F (22-29°C). R&R recommends 72-75°F (22-24°C). Working time is defined as the period from adding powder to water until the investment becomes thick. Deionized water is recommended for consistent results.
3. Always add the pre-weighed investment powder to the water. Adding water to the powder can make mixing difficult and affect the working time.
4. Wet out the powder with a mixing paddle or wire whip for no more than 30 seconds.
5. Mix with a mechanical mixer for 3 minutes. Proper mixing is crucial to activate essential ingredients for optimal investment performance.
6. Place the mixed investment in a vacuum chamber and apply enough vacuum to cause a rapid boil. Vacuum until the investment rises and breaks. Do not exceed 2 minutes; if longer, check the vacuum pump for issues.
7. Pour the vacuumed investment into the flask, pouring down the side to avoid direct contact with patterns and prevent wax pattern breakage.
8. Vacuum the flask containing the investment for approximately 1.5 minutes. Vibrating or tapping the flask during this step helps release air bubbles from the pattern/investment interface. Release the vacuum and fill the flask to the top of the metal edge. Do not overfill.
9.  Immediately transfer the invested flask to a vibration-free storage area. It is crucial not to disturb the flask during the gloss-off and initial hardening phases.
10. R&R ADVANTAGE investment does not cause water marking, so steps 3 through 9 may be completed within a maximum of 8.5 minutes. 
11. Allow the investment to sit undisturbed for 2 hours. The mold achieves its maximum green strength within this period.
12. After 2 hours of hardening, remove the sprue base and investing collar.
13. Ideally, load flasks into a preheated burnout oven with the button side down. Ensure flasks are elevated at least 1 inch above the oven floor for proper air circulation and wax drainage. Avoid placing flasks too close to the heat source or each other. Note: If loading into a cold oven over 300°F, reach temperature as quickly as possible.
14. If using steam dewax, immediately transfer flasks from dewax into an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C). Do not allow flasks to stand at room temperature for more than 10 minutes. Refer to page 3 for the wax burnout cycle suitable for your application.

Note: Recommended burnout cycles may require adjustments for different furnace types, flask sizes, and loadings.

Important Tips:
- Always add investment to water.
- Keep equipment clean and free of set investment.
- Seal the protective bag tightly in the container of unused investment and store in a dry area.
- Maintain minimum clearances of ¼" (6mm) at the sides and ¾" (19mm) at the top and bottom from patterns.

Process Instruction for Vacuum Investment Mixing Unit:

1. Follow steps 1-3 as described above.
2. Mix at slow speed without vacuum until the powder is fully wetted, approximately 1 minute.
3. Start vacuum, increase mixing speed, and continue mixing for an additional 3 minutes.
4. Fill flasks under vacuum by pouring the investment down along the inside of the flask, allowing it to flow up, around, through, and over the top row of patterns.
5. After filling, continue vacuuming for 1.5-2 minutes. Apply vibration if available.
6. Proceed with Steps 9-14 as outlined above.

Note: Complete the entire investing cycle within 6.5-8.5 minutes.