EFFECT OF FLY ASH ADDITION ON SOME FOUNDRY PROPERTIES OF GWANGE RIVER SAND

Abstract

This study shows the effect of Gwange river sand with fly ash as additive for moulding sand to be used for foundry application. The following laboratory tests were carried out: Sieve Analysis, Permeability of the Green Sand, Moisture Content, Percentage of Clay, Chemical Composition, and Green Compressive Strength, were conducted in other to attain the actual and physical properties of sand alone and that of the sand with additives in varying proportion. Results obtained shows that the clay content was found to be 30% of the soil sample used for the test, and the remaining 70% was silt and sand sample. Proceeding to sieve analysis result, particle size of 75μm was accepted because it has the best size suitable for the casting operation. Compressive strength of the sand was found to be 82kN/mm2 with the addition of 20% additive. Also, results from chemical composition test, reveals the percentage of SiO2 and Al2O3 to be 61.45% and 28.90% respectively. The permeability coefficient of 4.865x 10-5 (Kg-m/N-s) was recorded with the addition of 15% additive for better performance. From the results obtained, it shows that Gwange river sand is suitable for casting in foundry workshops/industries when used with additives to produce good casting with little numbers of defects.