The relative performance of coatings for furan resin sand moulds [P-toluol sulphonic acid(PTSA) as hardener] [FRS-PTSA moulds], was compared by analyzing the surface layer for degenerated graphite in Mg treated iron with 0.020 wt.% to 0.054 wt.% Mgres. It was found that the iron nodularising potential(Mg, Ce, La content) and whether the mould coatings contained S, or were capable of desulphurizing were important factors. These moulds have S in the PTSA binder, which aggravates graphite degeneration in the surface layer, depending strongly on the Mgres with lower Mgres increasing the layer thickness. The application of a mould coating strongly influenced graphite deterioration in the surface layer of castings. It either promoted graphite degeneration to less compact morphologies when using S-bearing coatings, or conversely, limited the surface layer thickness using desulphurization type coatings. Independently of the S-source at the metal – mould interface, the presence of sulphur had an adverse effect on graphite quality at the surface of Mg-treated irons, but its negative effect could also reach the graphite phase within the casting section. If the coatings employed desulphurization materials, such as Mg O, or a mixture(Ca O + Mg O + Talc) or Mgbearing Fe Si, they protected the graphite shape, improving graphite nodularity, at the metal – mould interface, and so decreased the average layer thickness in FRS-PTSA moulds. Fe Si Mg was highly efficient in minimizing the casting skin by improving graphite nodularity. It is presumed that the Mg O or(Mg O + Ca O + Talc) based coatings acted to remove any S released by the mould media. The Mg-Fe Si coatings also reacted with S from the mould but additionally supplemented the Mg nodularising potential prior to solidification. This dual activity is achievable with coatings containing active magnesium derived from fine Mg-Fe Si materials. The relative performance of coatings for furan resin sand molds [P-toluol sulphonic acid (PTSA) as hardener] [FRS-PTSA molds], was compared by analyzing the surface layer for degenerated graphite in Mg treated iron with 0.020 wt.% To 0.054 wt.% Mgres. It was found that the iron nodularising potential (Mg, Ce, La content) and whether the mold coatings contained S, or were capable of desulphurizing were important factors. These molds have S in the PTSA binder, which aggravates graphite degeneration in the surface layer, depending strongly on the Mgres with lower Mgres increasing the layer thickness. The application of a mold coating strongly patterned graphite deterioration in the surface layer of castings. It either promoted graphite degeneration to less compact morphologies when using S-bearing coatings, or conversely, limited the surface layer thickness using desulfurization type coatings. Independently of the S-source at the metal - mold interface, the presence of sulphur had an adverse effect on graphite quality at the surface of Mg-treated irons, but its negative effect could also reach the graphite phase within the casting section. If the coatings employed desulfurization materials, such as MgO, or a mixture (CaO + Mg O + Talc) or Mgbearing Fe Si, they protected the graphite shape, improving graphite nodularity, at the metal - mold interface, and so decreased the average layer thickness in FRS-PTSA molds. Fe Si Mg was highly efficient in minimizing the casting skin by improving graphite nodularity. It is presumed that the Mg O or (Mg O + Ca O + Talc) based coatings acted to remove any released by the mold media. The Mg-Fe Si coatings also reacted with S from the mold additionally supplemented the Mg nodularising potential prior to solidification. This dual activity is achievable with coatings containing active magnesium derived from fine Mg-Fe Si materials.