Investment casting is an excellent choice for complex parts that are difficult or even impossible to produce using other processes. With investment casting, molten alloys are poured into ceramic molds that are formed by coating wax patterns. Once the ceramic has hardened, the wax pattern is melted away, leaving a hollow mold. Because the mold is filled with a molten alloy, the material can flow into very complex geometries. In other processes extensive machining may be necessary to achieve the same result. In addition to enhancing the quality of complex parts, investment casting can be a economical way to product components.