Preliminary tests aimed at obtaining a cellular SiC/iron alloy composite with a spatial structure of mutually intersecting skeletons, using a

porous ceramic preform have been conducted. The possibility of obtaining such a composite joint using a SiC material with an oxynitride

bonding and grey cast iron with flake graphite has been confirmed. Porous ceramic preforms were made by pouring the gelling ceramic

suspension over a foamed polymer base which was next fired. The obtained samples of materials were subjected to macroscopic and

microscopic observations as well as investigations into the chemical composition in microareas. It was found that the minimum width of a

channel in the preform, which in the case of pressureless infiltration enables molten cast iron penetration, ranges from 0.10 to 0.17 mm. It

was also found that the ceramic material applied was characterized by good metal wettability. The ceramics/metal contact area always has

a transition zone (when the channel width is big enough), where mixing of the components of both composite elements takes place.

Using the available analytical methods, including the determination of chemical composition using wavelength-dispersive X-ray

fluorescent spectroscopy technique and phase composition determined using X-ray diffraction, microstructural observations in a highresolution

scanning microscope equipped with an X-ray microanalysis system as well as determination of characteristic softening and

sintering temperatures using high-temperature microscope, the properties of particular chromite sands were defined. For the study has been

typed reference sand with chemical properties, physical and thermal, treated as standard, and the sands of the regeneration process and the

grinding process. Using these kinds of sand in foundries resulted in the occurrence of the phenomenon of the molding mass sintering.

Impurities were identified and causes of sintering of a moulding sand based on chromite sand were characterized. Next, research methods

enabling a quick evaluation of chromite sand suitability for use in the preparation of moulding sands were selected.