1.

0 OBJECTIVE OF THE EXPERIMENT

There were several objectives of this experiment. Some of the objectives are:
1. To measure the properties of molding sands, green compression strength and
permeability of the sand block.
2. To expose the knowledge of molding process and all the standard procedures to
the students.
3. Enhance the skill of using the laboratory equipments with proper method and
handling.
4. To gain the strength of the sand that can withstand certain force and able to
select material that meet the strength of the sand.

2.0 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

2.1 Green Compression Strength
Sand strength test is the measure of holding power of various bonding materials in
green and dry sand. Green sand is made up from silica sand, bentonite (clay), coal
dust and water in ratio of 4:2:2:1.This test determines the cohesiveness or natural
binding capacity of the sand grains and also required the sand specimen to ruptured
under compressive loading. Usually, there are 4 types of test for sand strength: (1)
compression, (2) shear, (3) tensile, and (4) over-hang bar test. Of these tests, the
compression test is by far most widely used and is very convenient for routine
testing of all types of national bonded and synthetic molding sand.
For green compression strength test, the test is performed on the sand specimen
by using Universal Sand Strength machine. While, preparing the sand specimen, the
sample are required to be taken out quickly from the specimen tube to avoid the
sample from drying which will cause increase in the strength of the sample. This
machine also consists of a pusher arm and weight arm, both hanging from a pivot
bearing at the top of the machine. The weight arm applies load on the specimen
while pusher arm pushes the specimen against the weight until the specimen
breaks. Then the compression strength in Ib/inch2 may be read from the magnetic
marker. The green strength of sand is generally in the range of 0.03 to 0.16 MPa.

2.2 Permeability
Permeability can be defined as physical property of the moulded mass of sand
mixture which allows gas to pass through it. It is determined by measuring the
quantity of air that passes through a given sample of sand in prescribed time and
under standard condition. Standard permeability is determined by measuring the
time necessary for 2000cm3 of air to pass through the standard specimen while it is
confined in the specimen tube. Permeability of moulding sand depends on several
factors including shape of sand grains, fineness, degree of packing, moisture
content and amount of binder present. In conclusion, coarse grained sands are more
permeable than finer ones. The permeability number of the sand sample can be
calculated from the following equation:

P = (V.H) / (P.A.T)

Where;

cm3

V=Volume of air =2000

H= Height of sand specimen = 2 inches

P=Pressure= 10 gm/ cm

A=Cross sectional area of the sand specimen= 1

T=Time, sec for 2000 cm3 air to pass through specimen

This equation also can be reduced to AFS permeability:

P=

3000.7
T (sec)

(for old machine working with Hg)

The form

P=

30557
air pressure cmof water x time(sec)

30557
pxt

3.0 APPARATUS USED IN EXPERIMENT

1) Materials

Silica sand
Coal dust
Bentonite
Water

2) Equipment

Permeability Machine
Sand Rammer
Universal Sand Strength Testing Machine

3) Hand Tools

Specimen Tube
Ruler

1)

MATERIAL USED

The sand is produced from the addition of silica sand, coal dust, bentonite and
water all together in the tray.
2) EQUIPMENT USED

The digital device used in this experiment in order to get the specific
weight of the sand

Sand rammer that is used for 3 times before permeability

testing.

Permeability machine that is used to check the permeability properties of

the rammed sand.

Universal Sand Strength Testing Machine that used to determine the strength of the
rammed sand.

Funnel tube that is used to allow the sand specimen into the cylindrical
steel tube.

3) HAND TOOLS USED

Specimen tube that function to remove the rammed sand out from the cylinder
steel tube.

Vernier calipers is used to measure the height of the sand specimen after done
permeability and strength test.

4.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

Preparation of specimen:
Since the properties of sand are dependent to a great extent, on the degree of
ramming, it is necessary that the specimen be prepared under standard conditions.
To get reproducible ramming condition, a laboratory sand rammer is used along with
a specimen tube. The measured amount sand is filled in the specimen tube, and a
fixed weight of 6.375 to 7.25 kg is allowed to fall on the sand three times from a
height of 50.8 0.125 mm. The specimen thus produced should have a height of
50.80.8 mm. To produce this size of specimen usually sand of 145 g to 175 g
would be required.

ii.
iii.

iv.

i.
Collect the sand to be tested
Fill it in a steel tube with the help of the funnel. Place stopper at the other
end of the tube.
Bring the tube, under ramming machine to give three impacts by turning the
handle three times. Adjust the amount of sand in the tube such that after
three impacts, the specimen height is 50.8 mm.
Remove the specimen from the tube.

Permeability Testing

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

The machine is set up.

The specimen is hold in the steel tube.
The tube is placed on the machine. The tube is surrounded by mercury to
avoid any leakage. The nozzle is inside the tube.
The air is passed through the tube and as a standard mark, the stop watch
is started.
The stop watch is stopped as soon as the 2000 mark on the floating
cylinder reaches the standard mark.
The cross sectional area and the length of the specimen is measured after
removing it from the tube. The 2000 mark indicates that 2000 cm

of

air has passed through.

Green Compression Strength Testing

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

Bring the specimen to a Universal Sand Strength Testing Machine

Set the adapter on machine and hold the specimen in the adapter.
Take the initial reading by setting the magnet piece. Make sure the initial
reading is zero.
Start compressing the specimen by turning the handle until the specimen
fails.
Note down the reading. The final reading gives the value of the
specimens green compression strength.