What is Moulding sand?

Moulding sand, also known as foundries sand, is a kind of sand that is widely used to manufacture all
sorts of moulds regardless of whether they are employed for producing casting of ferrous or nonferrous
metals. Although silica sand of superior grade is also mined, the natural sand found on the banks and
beds of rivers provides a greater source.

Silica sand is utilized in the majority of sand casting procedures. Because of the simplicity of the
materials employed, sand casting was one of the earliest kinds of casting undertaken. Because of its
simplicity, it is still one of the most affordable metal casting procedures. A combination of water and
clay holds the sand required to make a mould for a casting procedure. Engineers frequently compress,
heat, and damp moulding sands to produce a particular shape. A typical blend maybe 89 percent sand. 4
percent water, and 7 percent clay..

Types of Moulding Sand

There are various types of moulding sand depending upon the chemical composition of the sand. The
main moulding material in the foundry shop is sand. It can withstand hot molten metal. Moulding sand
does not chemically react with the moulding sand. This analysis specifically covered the main varieties of
moulding sands and their qualities. The different varieties of moulding sands are as follows:

Green Sand

Dry Sand

Loam Sand

Facing Sand

Backing Sand

Parting Sand

Core Sand

System Sand

Green Sand
Moulding sand or sandstone that is green in colour is known as green sand. It contains silica sand, 18 to
30 per cent clay, and 6 to 8 per cent water overall. It is porous, light, and soft, and the binding between
the green sand grains is provided by clay and water. When pressed by hand, it feels slightly moist in
green sand. Under pressure, it can retain its shape and impression. The green sand is inexpensive and
easily accessible. This moulding sand is used to create a mould that is known as a green sand mould.
Castings made of ferrous and non-ferrous metals are frequently produced using it.

Dry Sand

The kind of green sand that has removed moisture is dry sand. In a good oven, the mould created from
the green sand is baked or dried to create dry sand. Clay and silica make about 15% to 20% of the dry
sand’s composition. This Moulding sand is stronger, more thermally stable, and more rigid.

Loam Sand

Loam sand is clay-rich and dries hard. This is specifically used for moulding loam. For large castings like
bells, rollers, and pulleys, typically. It has silica, graphite, water, clay, fireclay, and gainster in it. Loams
are sandy, wet, and readily absorb water. The texture and richness of loam soil make it easier to work
across a large area.

Facing Sand

Sand that forms the mould’s face is referred to as facing sand. This sand is known as “facing sand”
because manufacturers primarily utilize it to make the face upon which they pour molten metal. Sea
coal makes about 5% of the facing sand, and iron makes up 25%. It is positioned as the pattern’s next
surface to contact the hot, molten metal.

Backing Sand

The Backing sand, also known as the floor sand, supports the face sand. It is ancient and widely used
moulding sand that is used for the backing. Due to the addition of coal dust and burning from coming
into touch with molten metal, it is occasionally referred to as black sand.

Parting Sand

To create a non-sticky pattern, parting sand (dry sand without the binder) is used. Pure silica makes up
parting sand. The parting mould is created using parting sand. Often, the pattern is taken out of the
mould. The mould is then used to adhere. Therefore, since the mould does not stick, parting sand is
utilized. Such parting sand is used to sprinkle on the mould before connecting it to the pattern. Parting
sand is sprinkled over the drag, cope surface, and cheek to prevent sticking.
Core Sand

The sand used to create cores is known as core sand. Since it contains both silica sand and core oil, it is
also known as oil sand. Linseed oil, resin, light mineral oil, and other binders are all included in core oil.
Mixing pitch, wheat, and water can make large cores economically.

System Sand

The entire flask is filled with system sand in a Mechanical casting where machine moulding is used. This
sand mould has a high level of strength, permeability, and refractivity.

Properties of Moulding Sand

Moulding sand is used in the foundry industry for mould preparation during metal casting. The
properties of the moulding sand improve the casting metal’s quality. When adequate sand is used,
casting faults that may occur during the mould preparation and casting process is considerably reduced.
Here, we will go over all of the properties that moulding sand must have to prepare an effective mould
cavity.

Porosity

Adhesiveness

Collapsibility

Flowability

Refractoriness

Cohesiveness

Porosity

Porosity, often known as permeability, is the most important characteristic of moulding sand. It refers to
the moulding sand’s capacity to enable gases to pass through. During the pouring of molten metal into
the sand hole, gases and steam are produced. This property is affected not only by the form and size of
the sand particles but also by the amount of clay, binding substance, and moisture in the combination.

Adhesiveness
The ability of sand particles to adhere to another body is called adhesiveness. Sand’s adhesiveness
causes sand particles to adhere to the sides of the moulding box. Sand adhesion allows for properly
lifting the cope together with the sand.

Collapsibility

Collapsibility refers to the capacity of the moulding sand to collapse after the molten metal has
solidified. When the casting is withdrawn from the mould, it should disintegrate into small particles of
moulding sand with minimal force.

Flowability

Flowability or plasticity is the ability of sand to adapt to the moulding process by flowing all around the
pattern and taking the right mould shape when rammed. Moulding sand must have good plasticity to
have a good impression of the pattern in the mould. Fine-grained sand is generally more plastic.

Refractoriness

The moulding sand’s capacity to survive the molten metal’s high temperature without melting into it is
referred to as refractoriness. The moulding sand must have sufficient refractoriness to produce a high-
quality, defect-free casting. Sand with low refractoriness melts and fuses in the casting, lowering the
quality of the cast metal. The refractoriness of sand is a measure of its sinter point, not its melting point.

Cohesiveness

Cohesiveness refers to the capacity of sand particles to cling together. The sand’s strength is determined
by how cohesive the sand particles are. The sand should be strong enough to hold its shape throughout
carrying, twisting, closing, and pouring. If it is not of sufficient strength, it will be unable to keep its
shape, and the mould may be damaged during the pouring of molten metal.