Investment casting is a metal-forming process in which a wax or SLA pattern is coated with various ceramic materials to build up a shell with multiple layers to form the shape of the casting. The pattern is then melted out and replaced with a molten metal that takes on the shape of the pattern.  The investment casting technique leads to very intricate and complex metallic parts with superior dimensional accuracy and the best as-cast surface finish.  Alloys commonly investment cast can range from low temperature aluminum and bronze alloys to high temperature stainless steel and nickel alloys.