REGULATION OF THE PROPERTIES OF SAND-CLAY MOLDING MIXTURES BY SODIUM PHOSPHATE ADDITIONS

Abstract

Purpose. Study of the effect of sodium phosphate additives on the properties of a reversible sand-clay mixture in the green and dry state to improve the quality of castings from iron-carbon and aluminum alloys.
 Research methods. A reversible molding mixture based on quartz sand and kaolin clay was used. The effect of three additives (sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium pyrophosphate) in amounts from 0.5 to 2.0% was studied. Properties of mixture were determined using standard methods: clay component content, strength, gas permeability, crumbleness, flowability, formability, packing.
 Results. Effective additives have been studied to ensure the possibility of multiple use of reversible molding sand-clay mixtures. Special attention is paid to the regulation of the properties of the mixture in the dry state, since this issue has been much less researched today. For this purpose, sodium phosphates, which are produced by the chemical industry in sufficient quantities, were used for the first time. As materials that affect the properties of the mixture as a whole, they have not been considered before.
 Scientific novelty. For the first time, the positive effect of sodium phosphate additives on the physical and mechanical properties such as strength and crumbleness of reversible sand-clay mixtures was established. This effect is manifested in the fact that additives contribute to a slight improvement of properties of the green mixture and a very significant improvement of these properties of the dry mixture. There is practically no effect on important technological properties (flowability, formability, packing).
 Practical value. Based on the results of the experiments, it is recommended to use sodium tripolyphosphate or hexametaphosphate additives in the amount of 0.5 to 1.0 % to significantly improve the properties of dry sand-clay foundry molds. The use of these additives eliminates the appearance of surface defects in cast parts from aluminum and iron-carbon alloys.