Book excerpt: Mould and Core Material for the Steel Foundry presents the various types of mould and core materials available. This book discusses the steady progress in the development of the important aspect of steel founding. Organized into 17 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the fundamental function of a mould to provide a cavity that would receive liquid metal to produce a casting of a desired size and shape when the metal cools by solidification. This text then describes the various forms of moulds and core making techniques. Other chapters explain the major requirements of a mould or core material, including the flexibility to shaping processes and the capability of the rammed structures to retain their shapes and rigidity. The final chapter discusses the significant role of mould and core materials in producing serious casting defects. This book is a valuable resource for readers who are interested with mould and core making principles. Engineers, sand technicians, and research workers will also find this book useful.