A description is given of a method for producing a molding material mixture or for producing a molding material mixture and a molding therefrom, preferably casting molds or cores, for use in the foundry industry, where the molding material mixture comprises a mold base material and a solution or dispersion comprising lithium-containing waterglass, comprising the following steps: (1) producing or providing a kit at least comprising as separate components: (K1) an aqueous solution or dispersion comprising waterglass and (K2a) a first waterglass-free solution or dispersion comprising lithium ions in solution in water, and also preferably (K2b) a second waterglass-free solution or dispersion, preferably comprising lithium ions in solution in water with a lower concentration than in component (K2a), and thereafter (2) producing a mixture of the mold base material with a fraction of component (K1) and with a fraction of component (K2a), and also optionally with a fraction of component (K2b). Further described is an aforementioned kit, more particularly for application in the method of the invention. An installation is specified as well for producing an intermediate solution or dispersion, comprising lithium-containing waterglass, for use in producing a molding material mixture or for producing a molding material mixture and a molding therefrom.

The subject matter of the invention is mold material mixtures for producing molds or cores for metal casting, consisting of at least one refractory base mold material, a binder and an additive based on factice. The invention also relates to a component system, a method for producing molds and cores using the mold material mixtures or the component system respectively, and to molds and cores produced by said method.

The present invention relates to a casting core for casting moulds, the casting core comprising an inner core and an outer core arranged around the inner core. The outer core contains or consists of ceramic particles bound with a binder. The inner core contains ceramic particles bound with a binder and additionally one or more placeholder elements. The placeholder element(s) is/are at least partially thermally decomposable. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the casting core according to the invention and to the use of the casting core according to the invention.

Compositions useful for green sandcasting are discussed, as well as methods of preparing and using such compositions. Binder compositions may comprise a carbonaceous material, an inorganic binding agent, and a high aspect ratio silicate, wherein at least one of the carbonaceous material or the inorganic material in the binder composition may be oxidized. For example, the inorganic binding agent may be oxidized with a ratio of ferrous iron (Fe.sup.2+) to ferric iron (Fe.sup.3+) less than 1.2. or less than 1. Green sand prepared from such binder compositions may exhibit a reduction in emissions during sandcasting.

The present invention relates to methods for forming bonded particulate refractory materials for use in metal-working, comprising the steps of providing a fine particulate metal oxide, providing an aqueous alkaline composition, providing a particulate refractory mould material, mixing the said fine particulate metal oxide, the said aqueous alkaline composition and the said particulate refractory mould material, and shooting the obtained mixture in a core shooter. Substantially all the water included in the obtained mixture is derived from the aqueous alkaline solution and optionally the surfactant. Also part of the present invention are materials and articles obtained according to the method, as well as particulate compositions for use in the method.

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.

A casting slurry for the manufacture of shell molds, including powder particles and a binder, further including a surfactant. Use of such a casting slurry for the manufacture of a shell mold.

A description is given of a method for producing a molding material mixture or for producing a molding material mixture and a molding therefrom, preferably casting molds or cores, for use in the foundry industry, where the molding material mixture comprises a mold base material and a solution or dispersion comprising lithium-containing waterglass, comprising the following steps: (1) producing or providing a kit at least comprising as separate components: (K1) an aqueous solution or dispersion comprising waterglass and (K2a) a first waterglass-free solution or dispersion comprising lithium ions in solution in water, and also preferably (K2b) a second waterglass-free solution or dispersion, preferably o comprising lithium ions in solution in water with a lower concentration than in component (K2a), and thereafter (2) producing a mixture of the mold base material with a fraction of component (K1) and with a fraction of component (K2a), and also optionally with a fraction of component (K2b). Further described is an aforementioned kit, more particularly for application in the method of the invention. An installation is specified as well for producing an intermediate solution or dispersion, comprising lithium-containing waterglass, for use in producing a molding material mixture or for producing a molding material mixture and a molding therefrom.

The subject matter of the invention is mold material mixtures for producing molds or cores for metal casting, consisting of at least one refractory base mold material, a binder and an additive based on factice. The invention also relates to a component system, a method for producing molds and cores using the mold material mixtures or the component system respectively, and to molds and cores produced by said method.

A 3D printer creates a ceramic casting shell of high accuracy. Casting molten metal into this shell creates an accurate metal object. The ceramic shell is formed from a paste made from a low hardness ceramic, dried by freeze drying. To overcome the shear thinning behaviour of ceramic pastes a positive displacement pump is in close proximity to the nozzle.