Binder composition for foundry mix, foundry mix and "No-Bake" process for forming a foundry shape using the foundry mix

A "no-bake" process allows the forming of larger metal castings, by providing longer work times, in the range of about 45 to about 60 minutes. This is achieved using a liquid curing catalyst that is a pyridine, substituted at the second or third position with a moiety having a molecular weight in the range of about 30 to about 100 mwu. Examples of the liquid curing catalyst include 2-ethanolpyridine, 3-chloropyridine and 2-methoxypyridine. When combined with a two-part polyurethane binder precursor and a foundry aggregate, the liquid curing catalyst provides not only the longer work time, but also a strip time that is less than about 167% of the work time, as measured from the point of activating the polyurethane precursors by mixing them in the presence of the curing catalyst.