<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><!DOCTYPE Zthes SYSTEM "http://zthes.z3950.org/xml/zthes-05.dtd">  <Zthes><term><termId>31485015</termId><termName>sprues</termName><termType>PT</termType><termNote><![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. ]]></termNote><termCreatedDate>2026-03-30 20:34:25</termCreatedDate><relation><relationType>UF</relationType><termId>31485016</termId><termName>sprue</termName><termType>ND</termType></relation><relation><relationType>BT</relationType><termId>31323370</termId><termName>sculpture components</termName><termType>PT</termType></relation><relation><relationType>RT</relationType><termId>31421286</termId><termName>sprue cutters</termName><termType>PT</termType></relation></term>  </Zthes>