The paper is focused on properties testing of materials used in form of iso-exo sleeves for risers in ferrous alloys foundry. They are grainyfibrous

materials, containing components which initiate and upkeep exothermic reaction. Thermo-physical parameters characterizing such

sleeves are necessary also to fill in reliable databases for computer simulation of processes in the casting-mould layout. Studies with use of

a liquid alloy, especially regarding different sleeves bring valuable results, but are also relatively expensive and require longer test

preparation time. A simplified method of study in laboratory conditions was proposed, in a furnace heated to a temperature above ignition

temperature of sleeve material (initiation of exothermic reaction). This method allows to determine the basic parameters of each new

sleeve supplied to foundries and assures relatively quick evaluation of sleeve quality, by comparison with previous sleeve supplies or with

sleeves brought by new providers.

The paper summarizes research realized by the author in laboratory and industrial conditions (foundries of cast steel and cast iron, castings up to 50 tons) on the effects of the chemically hardened molding sands regeneration using hard/soft rubbing in the dry reclamation. A reference was simultaneously made to advisability of application of the thermal regeneration in conditions, where chromite amount in the circulating (reclaimed) molding sand goes as high as above ten percent. An advisability of connecting standard and specialized methods of examination of the reclaimed sands and molding sands made using it was pointed out. A way of application of studies with the Hot Distortion Plus® method modified by the author for validation of modeling of the thermo-dynamic phenomena in the mold was shown.

The paper presents an original method of measuring the actual chromite content in the circulating moulding sand of foundry. This type of

material is applied for production of moulds. This is the case of foundry which most frequently perform heavy casting in which for the

construction of chemical hardening mould is used, both the quartz sand and chromite sand. After the dry reclamation of used moulding

sand, both types of sands are mixed in various ratios resulting that in reclaimed sand silos, the layers of varying content of chromite in

mixture are observed. For chromite recuperation from the circulating moulding sand there are applied the appropriate installations

equipped with separate elements generating locally strong magnetic field. The knowledge of the current ratio of chromite and quartz sand

allows to optimize the settings of installation and control of the separation efficiency. The arduous and time-consuming method of

determining the content of chromite using bromoform liquid requires operational powers and precautions during using this toxic liquid.

It was developed and tested the new, uncomplicated gravimetric laboratory method using powerful permanent magnets (neodymium).

The method is used in the production conditions of casting for current inspection of chromite quantity in used sand in reclamation plant.