Types of Moulding Sand:
According the use, moulding sand may be classified as below:
1. Green Sand :
The green sand is the natural sand containing sufficient moisture in it. It is mixture of silica and 15 to 30% clay with about 8% water. Clay and water act as a bonding material to give strength. Molds made from this sand are known as green sand mould. The green sand is used only for simple and rough casting products. It is used for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
2. Dry Sand:
When the moisture is removed from green sand, it is known as dry sand. The mould produced by dry sand has greater strength, rigidity and thermal stability. This sand is used for large and heavy castings.
3. Loam Sand:
Loam sand is a mixture of 50 percent sand and 50 percent clay. Water is added in sufficient amount. It is used for large and heavy moulds e.g., turbine parts, hoppers etc.
4. Facing Sand:
Sand used for facing of the mould is known as facing sand. It consists of silica sand and clay, without addition of used sand. It is used directly next to the surface of the pattern. Facing sand comes in direct contact with the hot molten metal; therefore it must have high refractoriness and strength. It has very fine grains.
5. Parting Sand:
A pure silica sand employed on the faces of the pattern before moulding is known as parting sand. When the pattern is withdrawn from the mould, the moulding sand sticks to it. To avoid sticking, parting sand is sprinkled on the pattern before it is embedded in the moulding sand. Parting sand is also sprinkled on the contact surface of cope, drag and cheek.
6. Backing or Floor Sand:
The backing sand is old and repeatedly used sand of black colour. It is used to back up the facing sand and to fill the whole volume of the box. This sand is accumulated on the floor after casting and hence also known as floor sand.
7. System Sand:
The sand employed in mechanical heavy castings and has high strength, permeability and refractoriness, is known as system sand. It is used for machine moulding to fill the whole flask. In machine moulding no facing sand is used. The system sand is cleaned and has special additives.
8. Core Sand:
Sand used for making cores is known as core sand. It is silica sand mixed with core oil (linseed oil, resin, mineral oil) and other binding materials (dextrine, corn flour, sodium silicate). It has remarkable compressive strength.
9. Molasses Sand:
Sand which carries molasses as a binder is known as molasses sand. It is used for core making and small castings of intricate shapes.
