METHOD FOR CURING COLD-BOX FOUNDRY SHAPE WITH GASEOUS CATALYST

A "cold box" process for forming a foundry shape by curing a binder in a foundry mix operates by sequentially introducing a first vaporous curing catalyst to a pattern containing the formed foundry mix, followed by introducing at least a second vaporous curing catalyst. By arranging the amounts of the respective vaporous curing catalysts and the contact times, as well as by using the less active vaporous curing catalyst first, the total amount of curing catalyst used to effect the cure is reduced. Carrier gas may be used with the respective vaporous curing catalysts. Typically, the vaporous curing catalysts are tertiary amines having between three and six carbon atoms.