Foundry coke is a critical material in the metal casting industry, providing the necessary heat source and chemical reduction environment for the melting process. Unlike metallurgical coke, foundry coke requires higher post-reaction strength (CSR > 60%), lower reactivity (CRI < 30%), and more stable combustion characteristics. High-quality foundry coke typically features an ash content below 10–12%, sulfur content under 0.7%, and volatile matter around 1.5%, ensuring a stable melting temperature and high-purity molten iron.
Modern foundry coke production primarily utilizes high-quality low-volatile coals (such as coking coal and fat coal) in precise proportions and optimizes the coke structure through specialized coking processes, including dry quenching (CDQ). Key physical indicators include: shatter strength (M40) > 85%, abrasion resistance (M10) < 8%, and porosity controlled between 35–45%. These parameters directly influence cupola furnace permeability, melting efficiency, and molten iron quality.
The International Foundry Association (IFA) classifies foundry coke into three grades: premium grade for high-end precision casting, Grade 1 for automotive parts casting, and Grade 2 for general casting production. Selecting the appropriate grade can increase melting efficiency by 15–20% and reduce overall energy consumption by 8–12%. With growing environmental regulations, the demand for low-emission foundry coke (low sulfur and low nitrogen) is rising rapidly, exhibiting an annual growth rate of 18%.
