A curing agent for water glass molding comprises: ester; amorphous silica; and water. The amorphous silica is formed by means of a pyrolysis method and/or by means of a precipitation method. Also disclosed is a use of the curing agent for water glass molding in preparation of a casting mold and a mold core. Respective components of the curing agent comprising ester, amorphous silica and water are mixed at a high speed to form a suspension. Next, the suspension is applied to prepare a water glass self-hardening sand. The curing agent does not cause powder contamination, and can be measured and added conveniently. Also disclosed are a manufacturing method of the curing agent for water glass molding and a water glass self-hardening sand.

Purposes of the present invention are to provide a dry coated sand having a high degree of fluidity at the room temperature, a method of advantageously producing the coated sand, and a method of producing a casting mold having excellent properties, by using the coated sand. The dry coated sand is obtained by mixing an aqueous solution of a water glass used as a binder, with a heated refractory aggregate, whereby water in the aqueous solution is evaporated, and a coating layer of the binder is formed on surfaces of the refractory aggregate. A moisture percentage in the thus obtained dry coated sand is controlled so as to be not more than 0.5% by mass. The intended casting mold is obtained by filling a molding cavity of a forming mold, with the dry coated sand, and passing a steam through the coated sand, to solidify or cure the coated sand.

Purposes of the present invention are to provide a dry coated sand having a high degree of fluidity at the room temperature, a method of advantageously producing the coated sand, and a method of producing a casting mold having excellent properties, by using the coated sand. The dry coated sand is obtained by mixing an aqueous solution of a water glass used as a binder, with a heated refractory aggregate, whereby water in the aqueous solution is evaporated, and a coating layer of the binder is formed on surfaces of the refractory aggregate. A moisture percentage in the thus obtained dry coated sand is controlled so as to be not more than 0.5% by mass. The intended casting mold is obtained by filling a molding cavity of a forming mold, with the dry coated sand, and passing a steam through the coated sand, to solidify or cure the coated sand.

Inorganic coated sand in a dry state having refractory aggregate; and an inorganic binder layer formed on a surface of the refractory aggregate, in which the inorganic binder layer contains a metasilicate hydrate.

Inorganic coated sand in a dry state having refractory aggregate; and an inorganic binder layer formed on a surface of the refractory aggregate, in which the inorganic binder layer contains a metasilicate hydrate.

Compositions useful for foundry processes such as green sand casting are discussed. The compositions may comprise an aggregate, at least one inorganic binding agent, and at least one high aspect ratio silicate. For example, the composition may comprise sand, one or more clay materials serving as a binding agent, and a high aspect ratio silicate chosen from mica, talc, or a combination thereof. The composition may be formed into a green sand mold for use in casting molded articles. Incorporation of the high aspect ratio silicate may help to improve the quality of the casted article.

The invention relates to mold material mixtures containing at least one aluminum oxide in the alpha phase and/or at least one aluminum/silicon mixed oxide, except for aluminum/silicon mixed oxides having a layered silicate structure, as a particulate metal oxide, in combination with refractory mold base materials and a water glass-based binder system. The mold material mixtures are used for the production of molds and cores for the foundry industry.

The invention relates to mold material mixtures containing at least one aluminum oxide in the alpha phase and/or at least one aluminum/silicon mixed oxide, except for aluminum/silicon mixed oxides having a layered silicate structure, as a particulate metal oxide, in combination with refractory mold base materials and a water glass-based binder system. The mold material mixtures are used for the production of molds and cores for the foundry industry.

To provide a binder composition for molding, by which a mold made of aggregate has an excellent resistance to moisture. The binder composition for molding contains a water-soluble binder and at least one kind of lithium salt that is selected from a group of lithium silicate, lithium oxide, lithium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, lithium bromide, lithium chloride, lithium nitrate, and lithium nitrite.

A method of manufacturing molds and cores suitable for producing fiber composite bodies or cast parts of metal or plastic from a mold base material and a multicomponent binder by 3D printing includes pretreating the particulate mold base material with at least one silicon-organic compound having a polar hydrophilic end and a nonpolar hydrophobic end, forming a layer of the pretreated particulate mold base material, and applying the binder or at least one component of the binder in liquid form to the layer, wherein b. and c. are repeated.