Investment casting, also known as lost wax casting, includes processes such as wax pressing, wax repair, tree assembly, slurry coating, wax melting, casting of molten metal, and post-treatment. Lost wax casting is the process of using wax to create a wax mold for the parts to be cast, and then coating the mold with mud, which is known as a mud mold. After drying the clay mold, put it in hot water to melt the internal wax mold. Remove the melted wax mold from the clay mold and bake it into a ceramic mold. Once roasted. Usually, when making clay molds, a pouring port is left, and then molten metal is poured through the pouring port. After cooling, the required parts are made.

The lost wax method in China originated no later than the Spring and Autumn period. The copper seal from the Spring and Autumn period unearthed from Chu Tomb No. 2 in Xiasi, Xichuan, Henan is the earliest known lost wax casting. This copper prohibition is decorated with translucent cloud patterns on all four sides and sides, with twelve standing carved beasts around it and ten standing carved animal feet under its body. The intricate and varied patterns of translucent carving, with a magnificent and solemn appearance, reflect the maturity of the lost wax method in China during the mid Spring and Autumn period. After the Warring States, Qin, and Han dynasties, the lost wax method became more popular, especially during the Sui, Tang, Ming, and Qing dynasties when casting bronze ware.

The copper ware cast by this method has no mold marks or gasket marks, and it is better to cast hollow objects with it. The traditional investment casting technology in China has had a significant impact on the metallurgical development of the world. The modern industrial investment casting has evolved from the traditional lost wax method. Although they differ greatly in terms of wax materials used, molding, shaping materials, and process methods, their process principles are consistent. In the mid-1940s, when American engineer Austin founded the modern investment casting technology named after him, he drew inspiration from the traditional Chinese lost wax method. In 1955, the Austin Laboratory proposed the clarification of the first lost wax method. Japanese scholar Kazuo Kashiwagi objected based on the fact that the lost wax method had been used in Chinese and Japanese history, and ultimately won the lawsuit.