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Gilsonite in foundry applications has become one of the most trusted natural additives for manufacturers who want stronger molds, cleaner castings, and better surface quality. Today, ATDM — a reliable supplier of bitumen and Gilsonite from Iran and the UAE — provides high-purity grades specially designed for foundry plants. Because Gilsonite in foundry increases carbon content, improves mold strength, and reduces casting defects, it is now widely used in iron, steel, and non-ferrous metal operations around the world. Its natural stabilizing properties make it an excellent choice for producing high-quality metal parts at lower cost.
Gilsonite is a natural hydrocarbon mineral rich in carbon and volatile matter. When used in foundry sand mixtures, it plays multiple roles:
A carbonaceous additive
A mold surface enhancer
A gas-release stabilizer
A burn-on and burn-in reducer
A source of improved collapsibility
Since foundries require strong molds that also release castings cleanly, Gilsonite in foundry becomes an ideal ingredient to balance strength, flexibility, and gas flow.
Gilsonite in foundry operations is preferred because it delivers multiple performance benefits at the same time, something synthetic additives often fail to do.
1. Higher Mold Strength
Gilsonite increases mold strength, helping the sand hold its shape under high pouring temperatures. This leads to cleaner, more stable castings.
2. Cleaner Casting Surfaces
Because Gilsonite produces a protective barrier during pouring, it reduces burn-on, burn-in, and metal penetration. The result is a smoother casting that requires less finishing.
3. Reduced Gas Defects
The natural volatile content improves gas evolution, helping gas escape smoothly. This reduces blowholes, pinholes, and porosity.
4. Better Collapsibility
After solidification, molds collapse easily when Gilsonite is used. This lowers shakeout time and reduces energy usage.
5. Lower Total Production Cost
Gilsonite in foundry replaces multiple synthetic additives with one natural product. This reduces raw material costs and increases overall process efficiency.
6. Eco-Friendly Natural Additive
Since Gilsonite is a naturally occurring mineral and requires minimal processing, it is a cleaner alternative to heavy chemical additives.
Foundry sand mixtures require the right balance of:
Strength
Carbon content
Volatile content
Bonding performance
Thermal behavior
Gilsonite delivers all these benefits at once.
During pouring, Gilsonite releases a controlled amount of volatiles that create a reducing atmosphere around the mold cavity. This protective layer prevents metal from sticking to the sand surface, which dramatically improves casting surface finish.
Then, after solidification, the sand breaks away more easily, helping reduce defects, labor, and rework.
Gilsonite in foundry operations is used across many casting applications:
1. Iron Castings
Grey iron and ductile iron foundries use Gilsonite to:
Reduce burn-on
Increase green strength
Improve shakeout
Enhance surface finish
2. Steel Castings
Steel casting requires higher temperature resistance. Gilsonite provides better mold stability and reduces metal penetration.
3. Non-Ferrous Castings
Aluminum, brass, and bronze casting benefit from cleaner surfaces and reduced porosity when Gilsonite is used.
4. Complex Mold Designs
Intricate shapes and precision parts require smooth mold surfaces. Gilsonite helps maintain detail and reduces casting defects.
Below are the main technical advantages of using Gilsonite in foundry systems:
High fixed-carbon content
Improved surface finish
Better thermal stability
Reduced moisture sensitivity
Lower metal penetration
Increased casting accuracy
Better gas evolution behavior
Improved mold collapsibility
These benefits help foundries achieve consistency, reduce rework, and improve product quality.
1. Typical Dosage
Most foundries use:
0.3% – 1.0% by weight for iron castings
0.5% – 1.5% for steel castings
0.2% – 0.6% for non-ferrous castings
Exact dosage depends on sand type, binder system, and casting temperature.
2. Mixing
Gilsonite is added with other carbonaceous materials (sea coal, coal dust, or anthracite). It blends easily with silica sand and helps stabilize the mixture.
3. Substitution
In many formulas, Gilsonite can replace:
Up to 30–50% of sea coal
Part of the pitch content
Synthetic mold additives
This reduces cost and improves casting behavior.
ATDM supplies several grades depending on foundry requirements:
✔ Fine Powder (200–300 mesh)
Best for smooth casting surfaces and precision mold details.
✔ Medium Powder (100–200 mesh)
Most commonly used for iron and steel casting.
✔ Granular Form
Useful for applications requiring slow and controlled devolatilization.
ATDM provides high-carbon Gilsonite with:
Consistent purity
Controlled mesh size
High volatile matter for better reducing atmosphere
Low ash content
Strong packaging (25–50 kg bags or jumbo bags)
Fast loading and export support
Expert technical guidance
Because ATDM sources from the best mines in Iran and UAE, foundries receive stable supply and excellent performance for all casting applications.
Gilsonite in foundry applications delivers excellent mold strength, cleaner surfaces, fewer defects, and better collapsibility — all at a lower cost. These advantages make it a valuable natural ingredient for iron, steel, and non-ferrous casting operations. And because ATDM supplies high-quality Gilsonite from Iran and UAE, global foundries depend on ATDM for stable supply and reliable performance.