Editing Sand casting (section)

{{short description|Metal casting process using sand as the mold material}}
[[File:SandMoldCopeDragCores.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|The ''cope'' and ''drag'' (top and bottom halves, respectively) of a sand mold, with cores in place on the drag.]]
[[File:SandMoldBronzeAluminium.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Two sets of castings (bronze and aluminium) from the above sand mold.]]

'''Sand casting''', also known as '''sand molded casting''', is a [[metal casting]] process characterized by using [[sand]]—known as ''casting sand''—as the [[mold (manufacturing)|mold]] material. The term "sand casting" can also refer to an object produced via the sand casting process. Sand castings are produced in specialized [[factory|factories]] called [[foundry|foundries]]. In 2003, over 60% of all metal castings were produced via sand casting.<ref>{{harvnb|Rao|2003|p=15}}.</ref>

Molds made of sand are relatively cheap, and sufficiently refractory even for steel foundry use. In addition to the sand, a suitable bonding agent (usually clay) is mixed or occurs with the sand. The mixture is moistened, typically with water, but sometimes with other substances, to develop the strength and plasticity of the clay and to make the aggregate suitable for molding. The sand is typically contained in a system of frames or [[sand casting#Molding box and materials|mold boxes]] known as a [[Flask (casting)|flask]]. The [[Casting (metalworking)#Mold cavity|mold cavities]] and [[Casting (metalworking)#The gating system|gate system]] are created by compacting the sand around models called [[Pattern (casting)|patterns]], by carving directly into the sand, or via [[3D printing]].