ΒΆ Sand Casting Vocabulary
- Backing sand
The bulk of the sand is in the flask. The sand is compacted on top of the facing sand that covers the pattern.
- Binder
The bonding agent is used as an additive to mold or core sand to impart strength or plasticity in a "green" or dry state.
- Burn-on sand
Sand adhering to the surface of the casting is extremely difficult to remove.
- Cleaning
Remove runners, risers, flash, surplus metal, and sand from a casting.
- Cold shut
A surface imperfection due to unsatisfactory fusion of metal.
- Cope
The top half of a horizontally parted mold.
- Draft
Taper on the vertical sides of a pattern or core box that permits the core or sand mold to be removed without distorting or tearing the sand.
- Drag
The bottom half of a horizontally parted mold.
- Facing sand
The sand surrounds the pattern that produces the surface in contact with the molten metal.
- Flask
A rigid metal or wood frame is used to hold the sand of which a mold is formed and usually consists of two parts: cope and drag.
- Foundry returns
Metal (of known composition) in the form of gates, sprues, runners, risers and scrapped castings returned to the furnace for remelting.
- Gate (in-gate)
The portion of the runner where the molten metal enters the mold cavity.
- Green sand
Moist clay-bonded molding sand.
- Ladle or Crusible
A container used to transfer molten metal from the furnace to the mold.
- Mold
Normally consists of a top and bottom form, made of sand, metal or any other investment material. It contains the cavity into which molten metal is poured to produce a casting of definite shape.
- Mold cavity
The impression in a mold produced by removal of the pattern. It is filled with molten metal to form the casting.
- Parting line
The line showing the separation of the two halves of the mold.
- Pattern
The wood, metal, foam or plastic shape used to form the cavity in the sand. A pattern may consist of one or many impressions and would normally be mounted on a board or plate complete with a runner system.
- Pattern draft
The taper allowed on the vertical faces of a pattern to permit easy withdrawal of the pattern from the mold or die. (See draft.)
- Runner system or gating
The set of channels in a mold through which molten metal is poured to fill the mold cavity. The system normally consists of a vertical section (downgate or sprue) to the point where it joins the mold cavity (gate) and leads from the mold cavity through vertical channels.
- Inclusions
Cavities or surface imperfections on a casting caused by sand or other material washing into the mold cavity.
- PPE
Personal Protective Equiment.
- Shakeout
The process of separating the solidified casting from the mold material.
- Sprue
The channel, usually vertical, that the molten metal enters (Fig. 3).
- Vent
An opening or passage in a mold or core to facilitate the escape of gases when the mold is poured.