Casting is the most universal way to produce workpieces from metals. Currently, more than 100 different casting methods are known. However, the majority of ferrous metal castings (cast iron, steel) are produced in sand-clay molds (green sand) consisting of molding sand (usually quartz), clay binder and technological additives. Bentonite clays are used as a binder in such sand-clay mixtures.

The process of production of cast parts in sand-bentonite mixtures is more environmentally friendly in comparison with the methods of casting into molds with chemically hardening binders. The main advantage is the minimum emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere of the working area when casting molds with metal and significant savings in terms of foundry waste reduction. The ability of bentonite to restore the binding properties after pouring the molds with metal allows to repeatedly use sand-clay molding mixtures for mass production of cast parts.

The following products are produced for foundries:

• Bentonite clay powders for molding mixtures are produced from bentonite of Dash-Salakhli deposit in accordance with technical standards. AzRosPromInvest clay powders significantly exceed the standard values.

Main indicators	Units	Standard values	Value for P1T1A
Green compressive strength, min	kgf/cm2	0.9	0.95-1.15
Wet tensile strength, min	kgf/cm2	0.028	0.028-0.033
Thermal stability, min	units	0.6	0.6-0.8
Montmorillonite, min	%	30.0	up to 85.0
Moisture	%	6.0 – 10.0	7-8
Sieve residue, max 0.4 mm 0.16 mm	% %	3.0 10.0	3 10