Abstract
To prevent casting defects such as small nodules caused by air bubbles, a gypsum-bonded cristobalite investment material incorporating the surfactant agent becomes available on the market. The present study investigated the contact angle and sticking behavior to paraffin wax plates and the fluidity of this investment material and compared those characteristics to other gypsum-bonded cristobalite investment materials. The material containing the surfactant demonstrated lower contact angle and improved sticking behavior to the paraffin wax plate when compared to those of other conventional materials however, there were no remarkable differences in fluidity among the materials tested. The results suggested that, using the investment material containing the surfactant agent, an intimate contact of the investment mixture with the wax pattern could be obtained without applying the wetting agent on the pattern.
