Abstract: A curing agent composition for a water-soluble phenol resin used to produce a mold, which comprises a branched ester compound that is derived from a carboxylic acid having a branched chain, and an alcohol, and has 5 to 13 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for producing a mold, comprising a step of mixing refractory particles, a water-soluble phenol resin, and a curing agent composition comprising an ester compound, thereby yielding mixed sands, and a step of putting the mixed sands into an original pattern to shape the sands, wherein the refractory particles comprise reclaimed sands that are artificial sands produced by a fusion method in a proportion of 70% or more by weight, the curing agent composition comprises at least one selected from triethylene glycol diacetate, triethylene glycol, 3-phenylpropane-1-ol, and benzyl alcohol.

Abstract: A curing agent composition for a water-soluble phenol resin used to produce a mold, which comprises a branched ester compound that is derived from a carboxylic acid having a branched chain, and an alcohol, and has 5 to 13 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An evaporative pattern casting process in which a casting process plan capable of attaining the optimal discharge of generated gas can easily be decided. The evaporative pattern casting process can cast a product, and includes pouring a molten metal in a mold in which a pattern made of an expanded synthetic resin is embedded in molding sand, and evaporating the pattern with the molten metal, while gas generated by evaporation of the pattern is discharged outside the mold through a discharging passage including discharged gas suppressing device. The ventilation of the discharging passage is controlled on the basis of the material, the shape of the pattern, the kind of the molten metal, and the temperature of the molten metal.

Abstract: Provided is an evaporative pattern casting process which ensures that smooth casting can be carried out without blow-back of a molten metal and a molding product having an excellent casting quality is obtained. The invention relates to an evaporative pattern casting process for casting a product, which comprises pouring a molten metal into a mold provided with a pattern with a through-hole, embedded in molding sand, and evaporating the pattern with the poured molten metal, gradually exhausting the gas generated by the evaporation of the pattern to the outside of the mold through an exhausting path provided with an exhaust gas-controlling means.

Abstract: Provided is an evaporative pattern casting process which ensures that smooth casting can be carried out without blow-back of a molten metal and a molding product having an excellent casting quality is obtained. The invention relates to an evaporative pattern casting process for casting a product, which comprises pouring a molten metal into a mold provided with a pattern with a through-hole, embedded in molding sand, and evaporating the pattern with the poured molten metal, gradually exhausting the gas generated by the evaporation of the pattern to the outside of the mold through an exhausting path provided with an exhaust gas-controlling means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a specific binder composition for molding by self-hardening comprising 6.0 to 25.0% by weight of metal salts of aliphatic sulfonic acid, a specific hardener composition for molding by self-hardening comprising 0.5 to 20.0% by weight of metal salts of aromatic sulfonic acid, and a sand composition for molding by self-hardening comprising said binder composition for molding by self-hardening and/or said hardener composition for molding by self-hardening.