Lab 2 Memo
Lab 2 Memo
Lab 2 Memo
May 29,
2014
To: Paul C. Lynch
From: Lab Group D
Subject: Sand Testing (Lab #2)
Dear Paul:
The objective of this lab was to accurately create green sand and to conduct
appropriate testing such as, compatibility, permeability, green strength and moisture percent
tests. Most castings are made in sand molds, the most common and least expensive mold is
the green sand mold.
Green sand is made of silica sand, bentonite clay, and water. Group D was in charge
of creating green sand corresponding to the regulations of batch number 11 and 12, the sand
was then created using the muller machine. The amount of water, clay and sand are shown
in Figure 1 under mass data sheet. Once the green sand was created the sand was then
tested. The moisture control test used a small sample of the green sand(30mg) and with heat
the moisture was evaporated. The next test performed in order was the compatibility test.
The material incorporated in this test was the rammer, a tube, and the green sand sample.
The permeability test, measures the ease with which mold gases can escape through the
sand mold during pouring and solidification. The last test in order was the green strength and
it measured the strength of the green sand at room temperature.
Evaluation Questions
1. Compatibility test is carried out to know how molding sand will withstand repeated cycles of
heating and cooling during casting operations. According to (Figure 1), it is noticed that sand
compactibility is directly proportional to the amount of moisture present in the sand. With an
increase of moisture content by approximately 28% from 2.36% to 3.03%, it can be noticed
that there is a significant increase in the percent compactibility by 8% from 49.5% to 53.5%
(Table 1). A trend can be determined; when the amount of water in the mixture increase the
compactibility number goes up. For a sand sample composed of 5% clay an increase in water
levels from 20.03 grams to 58.63 leads to a compactibility percentage of 110.6% which is a
change from 23.5% to 49.5% compatibility (Table 1). The idea of increase in compatibility with
increase in the amount of water holds true for different percent of clay in the sand. Increase in
the amount of water means increase in moisture content. It can be seen visually from (figure
1) that the compactibility percent are similar for a sample that has 5% clay and 7% clay, and
similar for a sample which is 9% clay and 11% clay.
2. Permeability is a tested conducted to see how easily could gasses escape through the
sand. According to (figure 2) it can be seen that initially as the moisture content rises,
permeability goes up. For a sand sample of 5% clay in it, an increase in the moisture content
from 1.1% to 2.36% the permeability increases by approximately 71.4% from 42% to 72%
permeability (Table 2). The plot for the 5% clay hits the peak at 2.36% moisture and drops
down drastically to a permeability percent level of 65.5% for a moisture content of 3.79%. The
curves look like a downward facing parabola for sand samples of different clay percentage.
There is no linear relationship between permeability and moisture content which also means
that the same applies to the different water levels used in the sand sample. Looking at (figure
2) it can be concluded by saying that for the same moisture content the permeability
increases as the percentage of clay used increases. Ideally if the moisture content exceeds
the optimum moisture levels then the permeability percentage decreases.
3. Green strength test is conducted to see how much stress a sand sample can withstand
before it cracks internally or externally. The relationship between green strength and moisture
content is similar to that of permeability and moisture content. For a sand sample with 5% clay
in it , the green strength increases from 3.08psi to 7.19psi for an increase in moisture content
from 1.1% to 2.36% (Table 3). There is an optimum level of moisture content at which the
green strength is at its greatest and after which will start decreasing as the moisture content
increases which also holds true for the amount of water used in the sand mixture because
moisture content and water levels are closely related. Increasing the the percentage of clay
typically increases green strength, for a water level of around 59 grams increasing the clay
percentage from 5% to 7% the green strength increases by approximately 190% which is from
2.785psi to 8.115psi (Table 3).
4. Compactibility, green strength, and permeability are all important because they affect
casting process and quality. Compatibility is important so that the shape of the pattern is
retained, but no water or gases are added. If the sand is too dry, it cannot hold a good shape
without erosion, but if it is too wet it will add gas defects. The green strength is important so
that the mold stays well packed. If green strength is too low, the molds could crumble or have
poor turnouts. If it is too high, the molds will be stronger but difficult to shake out. Permeability
measures how well air passes through the sand. If the air cannot pass through the sand, there
is a higher risk of gasrelated defects such as pinholes or blows from the gas not being able to
escape. (Source 1)
5. It would be more useful to test the sand’s properties individually. The properties can
change, and if they are not within their tolerance, the molds will be ineffective. In a foundry
during production hours, the sand should be tested frequently to insure that the sand is to
specifications. The data from the tests should be recorded so that possible trends can be
tracked and taken care of. Anytime new sand is mulled, the properties should be tested as
well.
Extension Questions
6.
The finest sand grains are between 0.050.10 mm. Clay particles are less than 0.002 mm.
Adhere as a verb means to “stick fast to,” because the clay particles smaller, they are able fit
in between the spaces of the sand grains. Since the clay particles have a smaller grain size
compared to the sand grains, more clay particles fit in the spaces. In turn making the
compatibility of the material stronger. (Source 2, Source 3)
7.
Coal has a considerable influence on many sand properties such as nonwetting and on the
technical quality of castings produced in greensand. However, the presence of too much coal
is detrimental to the sand and it will increase the moisture demand and decrease the
permeability. The occurrence of burnon of sand or bonding material to the surface of iron
castings is a common problem found in chemically bonded sands and greensands alike.
Burnon impairs the surface finish of castings, in chemically bonded sands refractory coatings
are used to prevent burnon issues, with greensand the burnon issues can be overcome by
the addition of coal. (Source 4)
8.
Emission of organic compounds during casting pouring, cooling and shakeout (PCS), is a
constant concern for foundries. Most of these organic compounds are hazardous air
pollutants (HAPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOC), belonging to the benzene family.
The process flow of a Sonoperoxone system is straightforward. Dust is added to the water
treated with ozone and hydrogen peroxide, and the mixture is subjected to high intensity
acoustic energy, producing a slurry, referred to as blackwater. This blackwater is pumped to
inputs in the foundry, that previously used city water. The returning blackwater is put through
a settling system, the PneuCol portion, to remove some fines. Practically all of the discharge
from the PneuCol is fine silica sand. The remaining blackwater returns to the system and the
cycle repeats. The presence of advanced oxidants in Sonoperoxone systems helps lower
emissions by destroying organic compounds that were coating the silica, and by cleaning out
the pores of the coal and clay.(Source 5)
9.
Sonoperoxone systems have managed to reduce emissions in foundries while also
exhibiting financial advantages. Use of the system has reduced new bond and solid waste
expenses due to 15% to >40% reduction in new bond purchases. Additionally, indoor air
quality was improved, significantly lowering makeup air heating costs, even in cold climates.
Even with the financial savings, the emission of harmful organic compounds are still
decreased through the use of these systems. Volatile organic compound reductions of up to
74% and benzene reductions of up to 64% have been reported by foundries using the
Sonoperoxone blackwater system on their green sand lines.(Source 5)
10. Thermal reclamation of molding sand removes and recycles the clay and carbonaceous
residue from the sand, which allows the silica sand to be reclaimed both for green sand and
for core sand. The PneuCol sand reclamation process is more attractive than the traditional
thermal reclamation process for financial reasons. With the PneuCol system, the amount of
sand purchased can be reduced by up to 90%, while also reducing the clay and coal
purchases by 40 to 60%. The PneuCol process uses significantly less energy, adding to its’
appeal compared to the traditional system.(Source 5)
Sincerely,
Jake Stanko(10), Prithvi Doddanavar(4), Kate Gilland(6), Kaushal Pathak(9)
Mass Data Sheet
Figure 1: Mass Data Sheet created for Lab 2
Table for the plots:
Table 1
Compactibility (%) 23.5 49.5 53.5 49.5 5% clay
Figure 1: Compatibility vs Moisture
Figure 2: Permeability vs Moisture
Figure 3: Green Strength vs Moisture
Bibliography
1.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Reducing+casting+defects%3A+a+basic+green+sand+contr
ol+program.a015485555
2.
http://www.horiba.com/?id=2780
3.
http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/adhere
4.
http://www.gradedcoal.co.uk/WFCpaper2005jpeg.pdf
5.
http://www.furnessnewburge.com/everygreensandfoundryneedssonoperoxone/