<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><mads xmlns="http://www.loc.gov/mads/" xmlns:mods="http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.loc.gov/mads/
mads.xsd"><authority><topic authority="http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en">sprues</topic></authority><related type="other"><topic>sprue cutters</topic></related><related type="broader"><topic>sculpture components</topic></related><variant type="other"><topic>sprue</topic></variant> <note xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[ 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. ]]></note></mads>