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.

Foundry casting elements and methods of forming the same, the methods including: forming an aqueous slurry including an inorganic binder precursor, shaping the slurry using a pattern, curing the shaped slurry using a low temperature solidification process to form a casting element, and removing the pattern from the casting element.