Steel Investment Foundries
Key Figures
Figures are published for NAICS 331512 directly.
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Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing steel investment castings. Investment molds are formed by covering a wax shape with a refractory slurry. After the refractory slurry hardens, the wax is melted, leaving a seamless mold. Investment molds provide highly detailed, consistent castings. Establishments in this industry purchase steel made in other establishments.
Source: US Census Bureau, 2017 NAICS Definitions. Public domain.
Which code does this activity belong in?
Steel investment foundries manufacture steel castings using the investment casting method, where a wax pattern is coated with refractory slurry, then melted out to create a seamless mold. This specialized molding technique distinguishes them from steel foundries that use other casting methods, which are classified in Steel Foundries (except Investment). Iron foundries, by contrast, pour molten pig iron or iron alloys rather than steel, and are classified separately. All three types of ferrous foundries purchase their raw metals from steel or iron mills rather than producing them in-house.