Characterization of Belle Natural Moulding Sand for Foundry Application.
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Date
2019-02-18
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin Nigeria
Abstract
There exists vast availability of natural sands which may be suitable for foundry
applications in different locations Kwara State in particular and generally in
Nigeria. The sands need to be identified and characterised for productive and
profitable foundry practices. In this study, assessment of chemical and physicomechanical properties of the natural moulding sand in Belle community of Kwara
State, Nigeria was carried out to ascertain its suitability for foundry applications.
The analysis of the sand samples’ Chemical compositions were done using an XRF
Analyser, while American foundry-men Society, ASTM and British standards
laboratory tests procedures were adopted appropriately to determine the sand’s
physico-mechanical properties. The results of chemical composition analysis
showed that SiO2 have dominance proportion in the sand sample with an average
value of 92.90 %, followed by Al2O3 (5.13%). CaO, Fe2O3, MgO, K2O, Na2O, ZnO and
MnO were present within acceptable limits as trace elements. The results showed
average physico-mechanical properties of the natural moulding sand sample to
include grain fineness number (126), bulk density (1765 Kg/m3
), moisture
contents (7.66%), specific gravity (2.64), permeability (0.1cm/s), green
compressive strength (51KN/m2
), dry compressive strength (209KN/m2
),
flowability (65.22%), clay content (10%) shatter index (76%) and refractoriness
(>900o C), which were within the required standards for casting of non-ferrous
metal. Thus, Belle sand was found suitable for casting of non-ferrous metals.
Though, there may be a need for the use of additives like bentonite, to enhance
the sand’s clay content in order to increase the sand potential for foundry
applications
Description
Keywords
Characterisation, natural moulding sand, non-ferrous metals, sand casting