SIEVE SHAKER

Moulding sand is specified in terms of the size and shape of the silica grains
it contains, the clay content, and the moisture content. These are determined as
follows:

Grain size:

The grain size of sand is expressed by number called grain fineness number.
A given grain fineness number corresponds to a standard sieve of 280 mm
diameter which has the identical number of meshes in it.

To determine this number for given sand sample, it is customary to use a

standard sieve set which contains several sieves one above other, having a
varying but known numbers of meshes. The coarsest sieve is placed at the top and
the finest at the bottom. After separating the clay and moisture from the sand
under test, the sample is placed in the top sieve and the whole set is shaken in a
sieve shaking machine for a definite length of time.

The amount of sand remaining in each sieve is then collected, weighted and
expressed as a percentage of the original sample weight. The comparative sieve
designations of IS, BS and ASTM sieves are given in following table:

IS sieve (microns) BS sieve ASTM sieve

850 18 20
600 25 30
425 36 40
300 52 50
212 72 70
150 100 100
106 150 140
75 200 200
53 300 270
 The percentage collected in each sieve is multiplied by its own multiplying
number- a given constant, one for each sieve and all the products are added to
arrive at the total product. Thus

Total product

Grain fineness number = Total sum of percentage collected in each sieve

The grain fineness number is concept that can be used for comparing
fineness of different sands.
MOISTURE CONTENT (or MOISURE TELLER)

The working of moisture teller depends on the pressure of acetylene gas

generated by the chemical reaction of carbide with the moisture present in the
sand. Weighed amount of sand sample and calcium carbide are placed in two
compartments and then allowed to mix by shaking the container.

The resulting pressure of the gas so generated is indicated on a scale, which

is calibrated directly in the percentage of moisture. A direct reading apparatus
cannot be expected to give very high accuracy of results. Specification of
equipment for moisture determinations are covered by IS: 10034- 1981.
PERMEABILITY METER:

Permeability and strength are two of the most essential properties of sand
and their values should therefore be as high as possible. Although the
permeability and strength of sand depends primarily on the size and shape of the
sand grains and the clay content, the required values could not be realized unless
the correct quantity of water were rammed to a particular degree of hardness.

If the sand hardness number does not exceed 85, it is observed that the product
of the hardness number and the permeability remains constant. Therefore the
permeability of any sand may be found by comparing the sample with a standard
sand specimen whose hardness number and permeability number are known.

For absolute determination, permeability is tested with an apparatus

known as the permeability meter. This has an arrangement for allowing a
controlled amount of air to pass through a sand sample. The time taken for all the
air to pass through the sample is measured.
 Permeability is expressed in terms of the permeability number, which is
defined as the volume of air in cc that will pass per minute through a sand sample
of 1 sq. cm in cross section and I cm high, at pressure of 1 g/cm2. Thus,
𝑣𝑣ℎ
Permeability number = 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝

Where;

v = Volume of air in cc

h = height of the sample in cm

p = pressure of air in g/ cm2

a = cross sectional area of the sample in cm2

t = Time in minutes
SAND RAMMER

Strength testers are used to estimate the compressive, tensile and shear
strength of sand.

The sand sample is prepared by a standard sand rammer, is placed in a

holder and squeezed mechanically until it breaks. The force applied in squeezing it
is shown on an indicator. The force registered at the breaking point is
compressive strength of the sand. By changing the holder, the same tester may be
used for testing shear and tensile strengths.
SAND MULLER

Sand muller is one of equipment used for sand preparation. The function of
the muller is to condition the moulding sand for reuse.

Mulling is a process of kneading and working the sand for the purpose of
distributing the ingredients into homogeneous mixture.

The muller generally consists of a cylindrical pan in which two heavy rollers
roll in a circular path about a vertical rotating shaft. Two ploughs are also carried
with the rollers, which scrape the sand from the sides and bottom of the pan and
place it in front of the rollers. The rollers are set slightly off the true radius so that
they move out of centre and produce a smearing action on the sand. The rollers
are mounted on rocker arms to enable them to move up and down according to
the quantity of and in the pan. However, they are kept raised about 6 mm from
the base of the pan in the lowest position to prevent crushing of the sand grains.

The muller is generally equipped for cooling the sand and adding moisture,
if required. Binders, etc., are also added to the moulding sand before mulling, if
needed. After mulling, the sand is discharged through a door in the base of the
pan.

SAND MIXER

Sand mixer is generally used to prepare core sands and it consists of a

cylindrical trough having a rotating shaft in the centre, with two arms, each
having a blade fitted on to it.