Abstract: A process for making a casting mold or core utilizes a refractory composition including a slurry of yttria, an acid and an organic solvent. The composition is applied to a mold or pattern, dried, and fired to produce a mold or a layer of a mold or core. The articles produced are relatively unreactive with titanium and titanium alloys during casting.

Abstract: This invention relates to synthetic granite tiles made essentially from garnite sand and a process for the production of synthetic garnite tiles essentially from garnet sand which is a by-product of beach sand from rare earths extraction, said process comprising mixing beach sand garnet, feldspar and clay thoroughly; pressing the mixture using a press at a pressure in the range of 40-80 MPa to form tiles of desired shapes and sizes; drying the tiles so formed at a temperature of 100.degree.-120.degree. C.; firing the dried tiles at a temperature in the range of 1050.degree.-1250.degree. C. with a soaking for a period ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and polishing the resultant tiles.