Silica and Moulding Sands Association (SAMSA) part of
Crystalline silica has a higher melting point (1610 #176;C) than iron, copper or aluminium and other common metals. This enables castings to be made by pouring molten metal into moulds made from silica sand and a binder. The physical and chemical characteristics of the sand are important. In the past naturally clay bonded moulding sands were used.