Foundry articles for metal working applications, methods of making such foundry articles, and particulate refractory compositions for use in such methods

A method of forming a bonded particulate refractory material for use in metal-working, comprising the steps of

• (i) providing a fine particulate metal oxide;
• (ii) providing an aqueous alkaline composition;
• (iii) providing a particulate refractory mould material;
• (iv) optionally providing a surfactant and/or a metal hydroxide;
• (v) mixing the fine particulate metal oxide, the aqueous alkaline composition and the particulate refractory mould material, and optionally said surfactant and/or metal hydroxide to obtain a mixture thereof;
• and
• (vi) shooting the obtained mixture in a core shooter;
• wherein, in the obtained mixture, a total moisture level of the fine particulate metal oxide and the aqueous alkaline composition is in a range of 10 wt.-% to less than 30 wt.-% based on a total weight, in the obtained mixture, of the fine particulate metal oxide and the aqueous alkaline composition;
• and
• wherein substantially all water included in the obtained mixture is derived from the aqueous alkaline composition and/or the surfactant.