Optimization of mould sand properties by mixing of granite powder using Taguchi method

Abstract

The casting quality is depended on many properties of moulding sand like dry compressive strength, wet tensile strength, permeability, etc. and these properties are dependent more or less on parameters like setting/curing time, resin amount, hardener amount, content of moisture and so on. This paper focuses on studying the mechanical properties of silica sand when granite powder is added to it and how it affects the properties or composition of the moulding sand. The strength of mould of the silica sand specimen by using the Taguchi technique was studied. Random experiments are conducted using the L9 orthogonal array. Setting Time, Resin and Hardener are some of the main factors taken into consideration using 1000 g of silica sand. Selection of the parameters was chosen based on brainstorming foundry sessions and reviews from various literatures. As we are studying the effects of granite powder in the moulding sand it is also considered as one of the influencing factors. The resin used for this experiment is Phenolic Resin (cashew nut shell oil) and hardener used is hexamine. After the calculations from the experiments were done on the compressive strength, tensile strength, and permeability it is observed that setting time and granite powder are the parameters dominant for quality of mould and strength. Graphical analysis was done and based on that conclusions were made.