A method for forming a mold for casting a titanium-containing article, the method including combining calcium aluminate with a liquid to produce an initial slurry of calcium aluminate and adding oxide particles into the initial slurry to create a final slurry. The method further includes introducing the final slurry into a mold cavity that contains a fugitive pattern and allowing the final slurry to cure in the mold cavity to form a mold of a titanium-containing article.