Determine the moisture and volatile content in the green sand

Introduction
Molding sand and core sand depend upon shape, size composition and distribution of sand grains,
amount of clay, moisture and additives. The increase in demand for good surface finish and higher
accuracy in castings necessitates certainty in the quality of mold and core sands.
Sand testing on delivery will immediately detect any variation from the standard quality, and
adjustment of the sand mixture to specific requirements so that the casting defects can be minimized.
Thus sand testing is one of the dominating factors in foundry and pays for itself by obtaining lower
per unit cost and increased production resulting from sound castings.

Goal of the practical

The naturally occurring sand contains some moisture and volatile matter in it. For fine and sound casting;
these things should be eliminated first before moulding sand. In this is practical we have to determine the
moisture and volatile matter contained in the lab sand, and also study the effect of these things on the cast
product. The goal of the practical is to ensure reliable sand mixing and enables a utilization of the
inherent properties of molding sand.

Moisture content
Natural Green stored sand contains some amount of moisture in it. The moisture content plays an
important role in the molding material and the percentage of the moisture content varied widely from one type
of sand to another. Sometimes we requires moisture for binders such as when we add clay BENTONITE in
the sand and sometimes we have to completely remove the moisture content before adding a binder and
additives.
The study of the moisture content inquire for much practical work than theoretical; although a much
amount of has been done on it. Consequently some standards have been prepared individually. Moisture
content has some relation with the permeability of the sand or the size of the grains. Because when molten
metal poured in it; a large amount of steam is produced; this has adverse effect on the casting.

Volatile content
The volatile and organic matter is also present in the natural sand. The existence of these matters in the
sand may produce gasses when hot molten metal is poured. So it is recommended that these matters should be
removed before molding process. The test which is employed for checking this kind of matter is named as
LOST ON IGNITION.
Material and Apparatus

 Porcelain crucible
 Green sand
 Electric weighing balance
 Oven (230°C)
 Electric Furnace (1200°C)
 Desiccators

Procedure

Moisture content
 Took a porcelain crucible and weighed it on electric balance.
 Took 2 gm sand by weighing it on the balance.
 Placed this crucible in the oven at 110°C to find out moisture content.
 After half an hour; pull out this crucible and weighed again.
 Again placed it in the oven for 20 mints.
 After 20 mints again weighed the sand.
 Determined the percentage by weight moisture content.

Volatile content
 We took 2 gm moisture free sand in a crucible.
 Placed it in electric furnace at 800°C for 30 mints.
 After this duration; pull out this crucible from the furnace.
 Placed it in desiccators to take it at room temperature.
 Weighed this sample on the electric furnace and found out the percentage of volatile matter content.

Desiccator
inside with
porcelain
crucible
Observation and Results

Moisture content
Temperature of oven set at =110°C
1st Duration =30 mints
2nd Duration =20 mints

TABLE
Period of time Weight of sand Weight of sand after Percentage of
before (gm) (gm) moisture (%)
1st Duration 2 1.76 12
nd
2 Duration 1.76 1.76 0

Volatile content
Temperature of electric furnace set at =800 °C
Weight of the sand before =2 gm
Weight of the sans after =1.95 gm
Percentage volatile content = 5%

Discussion
 The sand which we took was wet which gave a large amount of moisture content.
 Usually naturally dried sand contains moisture according to the humidity of air.
 The amount of moisture also depends upon the clay content in the sand.
 The oven thermostat was not working efficiently as the oven was very old.


Conclusion
 A large amount of moisture content is determined i.e. 12%
 Our sample contained a heavy amount of volatile matter i.e. 5%. The tolerable amount is less than 1.2
%

Reference
 Foundry Technology by PETER BEELAY
 Introduction to manufacturing process by RAJEDER SINGH
 internet