Aluminosilicates can be obtained directly from the aluminosilicate rocks or manufactured as synthetic materials. Natural aluminosilicate powders used in investment casting are supplied with diverse Al₂O₃ content. Malachite, for instance, ranges in 42–47% compared to 60% in Remasill or Mulgrain 60%. The content of Al₂O₃ in the powder determines its resistance to heat—the higher, the better.

Typical contaminants in aluminosilicate powder are Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, and ZrO₂, with a very small content of CaO, MgO, K₂O, P₂O₅, and Cr₂O₃.

An important advantage of aluminosilicate powders is their availability and affordability.

Zeolite is a member of a group of hydrated aluminosilicate minerals. They appear in nature; however, they’re also manufactured for their ion-exchange and selective-absorption properties. Due to the open crystal structure, zeolites can be used as molecular sieves. Recently, such use of synthetic zeolites has become significant in the separation of organic compounds or as catalysts in petroleum refining.

A natural or synthetic zeolite features a three-dimensional crystal structure, in which water molecules are held in cavities of the lattice. If the water content is eliminated by heating, it makes space for zeolite to incorporate other molecules of suitable size. Selective absorption makes zeolites valuable agents in separating mixtures. They are also used in pumps for vacuum systems, while certain types are useful in ion-exchange processes like water-softening.

A similar alkali aluminosilicate is prepared artificially using sodium as the alkali metal. One process requires adding aluminum sulfate to soluble silicate solutions. The other is based on a combination of sodium aluminate with sodium silicate. In the presence of calcium, iron, and other cations, the sodium ion is substituted with a heavier metal ion. This method is successful for removing metal ions from solutions, in processes such as softening hard water. The permutite or artificial zeolite can be regenerated through treatment with a strong sodium chloride solution that will lead to replacing the calcium or iron by sodium.

4A Zeolite is a hydrated silicate of aluminum and either sodium or calcium—or both. Zeolite in its natural or artificial form has an extensive application in water softening, as a detergent builder, and a cracking catalyst. The sodium or potassium compounds are required for the former purpose since their usefulness depends on the cationic exchange. When the zeolite has become saturated with calcium or magnesium ion, it gets flooded with a strong salt solution. After a reverse exchange of cations takes place, the material is regenerated.