Abstract: Sealing and/or stabilizing and/or binding preparations comprising modified alkali metal silicate solutions having a molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 to Me.sub.2 O of from 2 to 4.5 wherein Me represents sodium or potassium; sodium metaborate and/or potassium metaborate in a molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 to B.sub.2 O.sub.3 of from 5 to 400; and glyoxal, and to the use of these preparations.

Abstract: Aqueous alkali metal silicate bonding compositions having a molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 :Me.sub.2 O of 2.4:1 to 3.4:1, wherein Me is sodium and/or potassium, a solids content of about 35 to 50 percent by weight, and containing triethanolamine. The bonding compositions can be mixed with fillers such as quartz sand and used for the manufacture of molded forms for the casting of metals.

Abstract: This invention is directed to binder compositions based upon aqueous solutions of alkali metal silicates. More particularly, this invention is directed to binder compositions consisting essentially of (a) aqueous alkali metal silicate solutions having a molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 :Me.sub.2 O of from about 2.0:1 to 3.4:1, with Me signifying an alkali metal, and a solids content of from about 35 to 50 percent by weight, based on the weight of the total alkali metal solution, and (b) from about 0.1 to 10 percent by weight, based upon the weight of the total binder composition, of at least one reductively aminated mono-, di-, or oligosaccharide, and the use of such binder compositions in the preparation of molds or cores for metal casting.