Sand Casting:
Casting is a solidification process. Therefore, the microstructure can be finely tuned, such as grain structure, phase transformations and precipitation. However, defects such as shrinkage porosity, cracks and segregation are also intimately linked to solidification. These defects can lead to lower mechanical properties. A subsequent heat treatment is often required to reduce residual stresses and optimize mechanical properties.
Sand casting uses natural or synthetic sand (lake sand) which is mostly a refractory material called silica (SiO2). The sand grains must be small enough so that it can be packed densely; however, the grains must be large enough to allow gasses formed during the metal pouring to escape through the pores. Larger sized molds use green sand (mixture of sand, clay and some water). Sand can be re-used, and excess metal poured is cutoff and re-used also.
The process is fairly straightforward: you make a pattern of what you want to cast, then use the pattern to make a sand mold, and then pour molten metal into the mold. After the metal freezes you end up with the piece that you want.
The sand used for green sand molding is critical and determines the favorable or unfavorable outcome of the casting. It controls the tolerances, surface finish and the repeatability while in production. Remembering that the tolerances on sand castings are usually wider than the other casting methods.
Ex: Gears, Pulleys, Crankshafts, Connecting Rods, Propellers, heavy Machine base etc.
The most common metals are Iron, Steel, Bronze, Brass and Aluminium. The process is to make medium to large parts like Valve bodies, Locomotive components and Construction Machinery. Likewise small parts of Buckles, Handles, knobs, and Hinges.
The sand casting process involves the use of a furnace, metal, pattern and Sand mould. The metal is melted in a furnace and then ladled and poured into the cavity of the sand mould, which is formed by the pattern. The sand mould separates along a parting line and the solidified casting can be removed.
Advantages:
1. Low cost of mould materials and equipment
2. Large casting dimensions may be obtained
3. Wide variety of metals and alloy (Ferrous and Non-Ferrous) may be cast
Disadvantages:
1. Rough surface
2. Poor dimensional accuracy
3. High machining tolerances
4. Coarse grain structure
5. Limited wall thickness (2.5 – 5 mm)
Mould making
is the crucial step in the production of castings. Making a mould properly means a casting half done. A sand mould is formed by packing sand into each half of the mould. The sand is packed around the pattern, which is a replica of the external shape of the casting. When the pattern is removed, the cavity that will form the casting remains. Any internal features of the casting that cannot be formed by the pattern are formed by separate cores which are made of sand prior to the formation of the mould.
Sand is the most commonly used mould material for casting. Other materials used include metals, plaster and ceramics. Sand moulds are made in moulding boxes or flasks which are metal frames with sufficient adhesive area to support sand. In large flasks additional adhesive area is made available by providing cross bars in the flask.
Most moulds are made in two part flasks, the top part called “Cope” and the bottom part called “Drag”. Copes and Drags are held in definite relation to each other by aligning pins and lugs. For some moulds additional intermediate boxes called “Cheeks” may be required. If the production rates are high, moulds may be arranged in the form of stack moulds with a number of such intermediated boxes.
Also lubrication is often applied to the surfaces of the mould cavity in order to facilitate removal of the casting. The use of a lubricant also improves the flow the metal and can improve the surface finish of the casting. The lubricant that is used is chosen based upon the sand and molten metal temperature.
Characteristics:
1. The mould should be strong enough to resist erosion by the flow of the metal and to take the weight of the metal.
2. The mould material should not produce too much of gases as the gases may enter the mould cavity and get entrapped with metal or violently boil out the metal.
3. The mould should be made in such a way that gases generated are vented out of the mould.
4. The mould should be refractory enough to withstand the high temperature of liquid metal.
5. The cores should be collapsible enough to permit contraction of the metal after solidification.
6. The passages for the flow of liquid metal into the mould should be designed to provide smooth non turbulent flow of metal, effective trapping of slag and proper directional solidification.
7. There should be a proper riser system in the mould to provide sufficient extra metal to account for the liquid and solidification shrinkage.
8. The mould material and moulding process should be such that cleaning of castings is facilitated.
Moulding Tools:
1. Shovel:It is just like rectangular pan fitted with a handle. It is used for mixing the moulding sand and for moving it from one place to the other.
2. Riddle:
It is used for removing foreign materials like nails, shot metal splinters of wood etc from the moulding sand.
3. Rammer:
It is a wooden tool used for ramming or packing the sand in the mould. Rammers are made in different shapes.
4. Strike-off bar:
It is a cast iron or wrought iron bar with a true straight edge. It is used to remove the surplus sand from the mould after the ramming has been completed.
5. Vent wire:
It is a mild steel wire used for making vents or openings in the mould.
6. Lifter:
It is a metal piece used for patching deep section of the mould and removing loose sand from pockets of the mould.
7. Slick:Different types of slicks are used for repairing and finishing moulds.
8. Trowel:
It contains of a flat and thick metal sheet with upwards projected handle at one end. It is used for making joints and finishing flat surface of a mould.
9. Swab:
It is made of flax or hemp. It is used for applying water to the mould around the edge of the pattern.
10. Draw spike:
It is a metal rod with a pointed or screwed end. It is used for removing the pattern from the mould.
11. Gate cutter:
It is a metal piece to the gate the opening that connects tee sprue with the mould cavity.
12. Rapping plate (or) Lifting plate:
It is used to facilitate shaking and lifting large pattern from the mold.
13. Spirit level:It is used to check that the sand bed, moulding box or table of moulding machine is horizontal.
14. Clamps:
Clamps are used to hold the cope and drag of the complete mould together so that the cope may not float or rise when the molten metal is poured into the mould.
15. Gaggers (or) Lifters:
These are iron rods bent at one or both ends. These are used to reinforce the moulding sand in the top portion of the moulding box and for supporting hanging sand.
16. Moulding box:
Sand moulds are prepared specially constructed boxes called the moulding boxes or flasks. The function and construction of a molding box have already been described.
17. Moulding flasks:
1. Snap flask