Cold-Box Process
This is not a contradiction: The Cold-Box process has been the leading core production process for series casting for 50 years. In sync with the further advances in castings for highly developed consumer markets, HA, as one of the leading foundry chemical suppliers, has continuously optimised its binder systems ever since. A comprehensive product range is now available especially for the Cold-Box process, so that foundries can always find the optimum binder solution depending on the area of application and their individual requirements.
HA's Cold-Box binder systems strike the perfect balance: lower emissions and uncompromising performance.
Sigmacure: A Robust Classic
Sigmacure is the universal classic product: It not only improves the core-making efficiency of the foundry, but also effectively improves the dimensional accuracy of the casting.
Strengths
- High productivity, fast cycle times
- Good processability, good sand durability even with moderate sand quality
- Moisture resistand, even under difficult climatic conditions
- Suitable for any existing equipment
- Many customised variants for special requirements
Biocure: with Plant-Based Solvents
In 1990s, HA replaced the aromatic solvents in Biocure by using methyl esters that are obtained from plant-based raw materials. It effectively reduces emissions, improves core-making efficiency, and reduces the consumption of catalyst and release agent.
Strengths
- Effectively reduce BTX, BTEX and CO2 emissions
- Low catalyst consumption
- Superior seperation of core and tool
- Good thermal stability
- Elemination of casting defects such as erosion and scabbing
Silcure: Inorganic Elements in Solvent
In 1999, HA introduced Cold-Box systems with shares of silicate-containing solvents to the foundry industry. These solvents contain Si compounds in the molecule instead of hydrocarbons. A lower carbon content results in reduced BTX, BTEX and CO2 emissions.
Strengths
- Significantly reduce the emissions during the pouring
- Reduce fume and odor
- High thermal stability
- Very low condensate formation, thus less cleaning effort
- Low gas formation, thus fewer casting defects (scabbing, gas defects, pinholes)
Sipurid: Inorganic Elements in Solvent & Resin
HA has consistently pursued the path of organic reduction with the latest Cold-Box generation Sipurid. In addition to the silicate component in the solvent, the resin molecule was also modified: the conventional OH-groups in the resin were partially replaced by silicate elements.
Strengths
- Lowest BTX and BTEX emissions
- Lowest fume formation
- Minimum condensate formation
- Lowest gas evolution
- Excellent suitability for die casting