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Word of the Day 15 September 2026

sprue

A channel through which molten metal is poured into the mold during the casting process.

Why this one

The channel the metal is poured down. It ends up as scrap, and the casting cannot be made without it.

In use

Cut the sprue off before it goes to the grinder, and chuck the offcut back in the remelt bin.

Written by our editors to show how the term is used, not a recorded quotation.

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