text: The S.I. unit for the mold constant  is seconds per metre squared (). According to Askeland, the constant  is usually 2, however Degarmo claims it is between 1.5 and 2. The mold constant  can be calculated using the following formula:
  Where
  : = melting or freezing temperature of the liquid (in kelvins),
  : = initial temperature of the mold (in kelvins),
  : = superheat (in kelvins),
  : = latent heat of fusion (in ),
  : = thermal conductivity of the mold (in ),
  : = density of the mold (in ),
  : = specific heat of the mold (in ),
  : = density of the metal (in ),
  : = specific heat of the metal (in ).
  It is most useful in determining if a riser will solidify before the casting, because if the riser solidifies first then defects like shrinkage or porosity can form.