Which casting process coupled with the environmental parameters play the main role in the choice of the basic requirements for the coating; i.e. which liquid (alcohol or water), the form (liquid or powder) or the main filler (carbon oxides, silicates). Centrifugal casting applications have different requirements compared to gravity die casting processes and in turn to 3D-printed cores or moulds and cores produced from conventional production processes.

The latter have very variable properties, such as the mineralogical composition (silica, chromite, etc.) of the moulding material, the type and amount of sand reclamation, the type and proportion of organic compounds (resins, etc.) or even the compaction method used, which has a significant influence on the effectiveness of a coating.

Casting alloy and casting temperatures usually determine the main make-up or the refractory fillers.

However, due to high price and competetive pressure, new coating fillers have become established in recent years, revising the traditional specifications and, for example, displacing zircon as the "main" refractory in the steel foundry sector.

Experience has shown that various filler properties such as particle size, density, thermal conductivity and expansion, as well as melting temperatures (or ranges) help in the selection of possible filler combinations in order to make the best possible choice for the requirements in foundries.

After all, only by means of process analysis in conjunction with a well-founded product selection and an optimised application is it possible to meet the constantly increasing quality requirements and to establish stable and cost-effective processes. 

Know-how since 1863

It should not be disregarded that it is of high benefit to know that a specific coating worked well in a different foundry with similar requirements and surrounding parameters. The James Durrans Group supplies many top-class foundries around the world. Out of this pool of synergies we can easily find coatings for successfull trials. 

Available coating series

The James Durrans Group provides a wide variety of refractory coatings that is extended continuously. In general, each alcohol based coating has its water based counterpart. To get a fully covered, real-time overview about our coating products and their main application area, please click here. For a first orientation, the following table  summarises our main coating series. 

Main refractory coating series of the James Durrans Group

* Powder supply is available for selected products

Coatings for 3D-printed cores or moulds

Moulds and cores produced by 3D printing technology have increasingly established themselves - technically as well as economically - as an interesting alternative in the foundry. The specially tailored 3D coating range makes it even easier to implement printed moulds and cores in the foundry and to benefit from the advantages of 3D printing. 

Many factors influence the technical requirements towards a coating system. For example in a foundry that produces ductile iron castings at 1450 °C from small and medium size walled automotive moulds and cores in cold box where veining is a big issue and there is enough hot-air dying capacity, a water-based but fast drying, ready mixed coating with highly refractory Mullite and close-fitting phyllosilicates offers good prerequisites for initial trials. RWB 8361-FD would be your coating of choice. But this coating is also suited for flow coating application of bigger pieces as the following pictures demonstrate: