Refractory coatings provide a protective barrier between the molten metal and the mould or core substrate. It is this barrier that is of paramount importance in ensuring the integrity of the as-cast surface of the finished component, and hence inconsistencies within the coating structure or the application method will be reflected in the surface quality of the component.

The improvement in as-cast surface finish, can be as basic as the removal of sand grain definition, but more often it is the reduction and elimination of a number of casting defects:

• Metal Penetration
• Poor Casting Strip
• Mould Erosion
• Gas Defects
• Metal / Mould Reactions
• Sand Expansion Defects
• Metallurgical Defects

By careful selection of refractory fillers and rheological technology, Foseco coatings are designed to deposit the correct coating structure onto a given substrate, to ensure cast surface integrity. The range of products have been specifically engineered so that they can be applied by dipping, flow coating, brushing, swabbing and spraying.

• Coatings for steel  
  The high casting temperatures associated with steel foundries requires careful selection of refractory materials, to ensure full protection against metal penetration and burn-on defects.
  

• Coatings for jobbing iron  
  This segment of the market is typified by the variety of size and shape of cast components, ranging from many tonnes to less than a kilo. The processing of such components in, typically, short runs requires flexible manufacturing techniques. This variety and flexibility is reflected within the coating product ranges on offer from Foseco.
  

• Coatings for production iron  
  High production foundries, typically with a large proportion of cored castings, typify this segment. The production unit is typically highly automated and the application of coating is normally via a dipping operation.
  

• Coatings for specialty applications  
  Foseco also offers a variety of specialist coatings products including metallurgical coatings, full mould and lost foam coatings, coatings for spun pipe production and coatings for the protection of tools and refractories.