Ransom & Randolph Ultra-Vest® BANDUST™ investment

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In stock (6)

Proven Quality, Consistent Results for Casting Gold, Silver, Brass, and Bronze

Ultra-Vest investment is accepted by jewelry casters as being the most process forgiving product available for casting – saving casters time and money. Ultra-Vest investment provides easy quench and easy cleanup, reducing your risk of losing valuable metal. Ultra-Vest investment produces smoother surfaces than other investments, resulting in less finishing. BANDUST technology significantly reduces respirable quartz and cristobalite exposure, providing immeasurable impact to the overall health and safety of casters.

 

Typical Material Properties*

 

Water/Powder Ratio	39 parts water to 100 parts powder by weight
Water Temperature	72-73ºF (22-23ºC)
Working Time	10-10.5 minutes
Setting Time	<20 minutes
Slump	111-118mm

*These results are based on the testing methods, frequency and procedures of Ransom & Randolph or its approved suppliers.

The levels referenced herein are only for general guidance and do not constitute a firm specification.

Application Instructions

1. Weigh the required amount of Ultra-Vest BANDUST investment. To determine the proper amount of water and powder to use per flask, use the online flask calculator located at ransom-randolph.com or calculate the volume of your flask (Vπ2h) and multiply by the appropriate factor in the chart below.

 

	W:P 38/100		W:P 39/100		W:P 40/100		W:P 41/100		W:P 42/100
	Per in3 volume	Per cm3 volume	Per in3 volume	Per cm3 volume	Per in3 volume	Per cm3 volume	Per in3 volume	Per cm3 volume	Per in3 volume	Per cm3 volume
Investment Needed
Grams	21.0	1.28	20.7	1.26	20.4	1.25	20.1	1.23	19.8	1.21
Pounds	0.05		0.05		0.04		0.04		0.04
Ounces (Weight)	0.74		0.73		0.72		0.71		0.70
Water Needed
Grams	8.00	0.49	8.10	0.49	8.20	0.50	8.20	0.50	8.30	0.51
Pounds	0.02		0.02		0.02		0.02		0.02
Fluid Ounces	0.28		0.29		0.29		0.29		0.29

1. Measure or weigh the required amount of water (1 g = 1 ml, 1 fluid oz = 6 ml) and place in mixing bowl.

Note: Changes in temperature affect working time, to reduce variations, water and powder temperatures should be held to 72-75ºF (22-24ºC). Working time is defined as the time the powder is added to the water to the time the investment becomes thick.

Note: Deionized water is recommended to maintain consistency of the working time.

2. Always add the preweighed quantity of investment to Adding the water to the powder will make it difficult to mix and will affect the working time.
3. Wet out the powder with a mixing paddle or a wire This should take no more than 30 seconds.

 

Note: If using a vacuum investment mixing unit, mix with no vacuum on slow speed until the powder is completely wetted

(approximately 1 minute).

4. Mix with mechanical mixer for 3 Good mixing is important to activate essential ingredients that make the investment perform to its fullest potential.

Note: If using a vacuum investment mixing unit, start vacuum, increase mixing speed and mix for an additional 3 minutes.

5. Place the mixed investment in a vacuum chamber and apply enough vacuum to cause a rapid The investment should be vacuumed until it rises and breaks. Do not exceed 2 minutes. If a longer time is required, the vacuum pump may be undersized, there may be an air leak or the vacuum system may be in need of repair.
6. Pour the vacuumed investment into and down the side of the Avoid pouring it directly over the patterns to prevent wax pattern breakage. Fill flask at least 1" (2.54 cm) over pattern.

Note: If using a vacuum investment mixing unit, pour the investment down along the inside of the flask allowing it to flow up, around, through and over the top row of patterns.

7. Vacuum the invested flask about 1½ Vibrating or tapping the flask during this operation will assist in releasing air bubbles from the pattern/investment interface. Release vacuum and fill the flask to the top of the metal edge. Do not overfill.

Note: If using a vacuum investment mixing unit, after flasks are filled, continue to vacuum for 1½ to 2 minutes. Vibration may be applied, if available.

8. Immediately transfer the invested flask to a vibration free storage It is extremely important not to disturb the flask during the gloss-off phase as well as during the initial hardening process.
9. To achieve appropriate green strength, allow the investment to sit undisturbed (bench cure) for 2-6

Note: If bench cure will exceed 6 hours, maintain moisture by rewetting, covering with a wet cloth and sealing in a plastic

bag. This will reduce potential cracking of molds due to uneven drying.

10. After bench curing for 2-6 hours, remove the sprue base and investing
11. Ideally, flasks should be loaded into a burnout oven, preheated to 300ºF (150ºC), button side down. Flasks should be elevated at least 1" (2.54 cm) above oven floor to allow proper air circulation and wax Do not place flasks too close to the heat source or to each other.

Note: If loading into a cold oven, 300ºF (150ºC) temperature must be reached as fast as possible.

12. If steam dewax is used, transfer the flasks immediately from dewax into an oven preheated to 300ºF (150ºC). Do not allow flasks to stand at room temperature for more than 10 minutes.
13. Follow the wax burnout schedule suitable for your

Note: Wax burnout schedules described are recommendations. Adjustments may be required for various furnace types, flask sizes and oven loading.

 

Wax Burnout Schedule
		Flask size: up to 3" x 3" (7.6 cm x 7.6 cm)	Flask size: up to 4" x 6" (10.2 cm x 15.2 cm)	Flask size: up to 4" x 8" (10.2 cm x 20.3 cm)
Water Removal	Ambient to 300ºF (150ºC) as fast as possible (can be preheated)	Hold 1 hour	Hold 3 hours	Hold 3 hours
Thermal Transition	Raise to 700ºF (370ºC)	Raise over 1 hour Hold 1 hour	Raise over 2 hours Hold 2 hours	Raise over 2 hours Hold 2 hours
Pattern Removal	Raise to 1350ºF (730ºC)	Raise over 2 hours Hold 2 hours	Raise over 2 hours Hold 2 hours	Raise over 3 hours Hold 3 hours
	Reduce to casting temperature and allow for stabilization	Hold 1 hour	Hold 2 hours	Hold 2 hours

 

Note: Refer to the mold casting temperatures recommended by your alloy supplier.

Important Tips

• Use deionized water for best
• Investment should always be added to the
• Equipment must be kept clean and free of set
• Leave a minimum clearance from the patterns of ¼" (.05 cm) at the sides and 1" (2.54 cm) at the top and

Storage & Handling

Avoid skin or eye contact. Avoid breathing dust. Wear protective equipment during handling. Wash thoroughly after handling. Close the protective bag tightly in the container of unused investment powder and close the container when not in use. Always store investment in a dry area.

Frequently Asked Questions – BANDUST™ Technology Jewelry Investments

Do I need to wear a respirator?

Due to variations from one casting facility to another (batch size, mixing and casting procedures, site specific administrative rules, good work practices and engineering controls), Ransom & Randolph cannot advise against wearing a respirator. We recommend contacting an industrial hygienist, or appropriate authorities, in your area to determine if BANDUST technology respirable dust levels in your facility are below the level requiring respirators.

 

Why is there a warning on the label?

Labeling laws in the United States require that any product which contains a certain volume of crystalline silica or quartz be labeled with the potential hazard. Because this product contains these raw materials, we are complying with US law by applying the appropriate warning (reference OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200). In the United States, labeling is not based on testing of respirable dust.

 

Is there respirable silica exposure during devesting?

If you are DRY devesting, there is an exposure risk and appropriate safety equipment should be used. During QUENCH devesting, industrial hygienist testing did not detect measurable respirable dust. Before changing your safety procedures during quenching, appropriate on-site testing must be completed to verify the same is true of your facility.

Safety

North America: Danger. Contains crystalline silica. May cause cancer by inhalation. Causes damage to lungs through prolonged or repeated exposure by inhalation. See SDS for more information.

EU: Danger. Contains respirable crystalline silica. Causes damage to lungs through prolonged or repeated exposure. See SDS for more information.

 

As the conditions or methods of use are beyond our control, we do not assume any responsibility and expressly disclaim any liability for any use of this product. Information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate but all statements or suggestions are made without warranty, expressed or implied, regarding accuracy of the information, the hazards connected with the use of the material or the results to be obtained from the use thereof. Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations remains the responsibility of the user. All potential liability related to the sale and use of this product is limited to the cost of the particular goods sold in their respective transactions.