What kind of sand can be used as foundry sand?

October.20,2023

The molding sand suitable for casting that is widely distributed in nature is silica sand, also known as quartz sand. The main mineral composition is quartz, and the main chemical composition is SiO2.

Natural silica sand: Due to its different chemical composition and particle size composition, it is used as molding sand and core sand for non-ferrous alloy castings, iron castings and small and medium-sized steel castings.

Selected natural silica sand: used for various steel casting molding sand and core sand using organic matter as binder.

Artificial silica sand: molding sand and core sand used for precision casting, furnace lining or steel castings.

Non-siliceous sand can also be used as casting sand: there are many types of non-siliceous sand with different uses. ① Limestone sand: It is made from crushed limestone. The main mineral composition is CaCO3. It is used as molding sand and core sand for steel castings. ②Zirconium sand: The main mineral composition is ZrO2·SiO2. It is used as core sand for large steel castings and alloy steel parts or as surface sand for sand molds, or its powder is used as coating. ③Magnesia: The main mineral composition is MgO. It is used as surface sand and core sand for high manganese steel castings. Its powder can be used as coating. ④Chromite sand: The main mineral composition is chromite FeO·Cr2O3. It is used as surface sand and core sand for large or special steel castings, and its powder can be used as coating. ⑤ Corundum sand: The main mineral composition is corundum α-Al2O3, which is used as shell-making material for investment molds and ceramic mold castings. ⑥ Olivine sand: The main mineral composition is olivine (MgFe)2SiO4, which is used in the molding sand and core sand of iron castings, non-ferrous alloy castings and high manganese steel castings. ⑦ Orb sand: The main mineral composition is Al2O3, which has the advantages of high temperature resistance, easy collapse, good particle shape, resistance to acid and alkali erosion, low breakage rate, and strong recyclability. It is an ideal molding material for cast iron, cast steel, cast copper, cast aluminum and core sand. Its cost performance exceeds that of chrome ore and zircon sand.