Chemically bonded sand cores and molds are an important part of metal casting technology and their behavior in contact with molten metal is of great interest. In order to accomplish near-net-shape casting with minimal veining and penetration defects, it's necessary to understand the thermal-mechanical effect suffered by the cores and molds when different binders, additives and coating are used. A thermal distortion testing machine can accommodate a 50 mm disc-shaped specimen of varying thicknesses. The specimen is automatically brought into direct symmetrical contact with a hot surface. The machine applies a force to the specimen which represents a hydrostatic head pressure experienced by a core and mold wall during filling. Further, the machine maintains a constant force signifying filled mold through casting solidification. During this time the instrumentation is designed to capture temperature in the specimen and both longitudinal and radial movement in the specimen in real-time. Results show interesting graphical representations of the thermal-mechanical distortions in various sand binder systems at cast iron interfacial temperatures. The results are supported by actual casting trials.