An improved soluble core for die casting metals or metal matrix composites is formed of a mixture of salt and about more than 0 weight % and less than 20 weight % of ceramic material blended together to produce a homogeneous mixture and compacted under pressure to produce a soluble core having little or no porosity. The ceramic material can be in the form of fibers, particulates, whiskers, and/or platelets, and has a melting temperature greater than that of the salt. The core can include a thermally insulating outer ceramic coating to enable the core to withstand higher die casting temperatures than conventional salt cores. The improved soluble core is removable with hot water and/or steam and the core material can be reclaimed for reuse.
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