sprues
- Scope note
- Channels that feed molten material to a mold, in contrast to a vent,which lets air escape. Both sprues and vents make up the “sprue system,” which circulates molten material from a pouring cup through a refractory mold and allows air and casting vapors such as steam to be released. In lost-wax casting, “sprue” is the term used for the solid wax rods (rarely reeds or terra-cotta pipes) used to create the channels in the mold. Sprues are also the solid metal that has filled the channels upon cooling, which is generally removed during fettling.
- Date of creation: 01-Dec-2025
Accepted term: 01-Dec-2025