Sand Casting: What is Sand Casting, Complete Process of Sand Casting

What is Sand Casting Process?

In the industrial process known as “sand casting,” liquid metal is poured into a sand mould with a hollow chamber with the desired shape, and the metal is then left to solidify. Clay, epoxy, plaster, metal, and concrete are all examples of casting materials. The sand casting technique is known for its adaptability. Sand castings may produce castings with exceedingly complicated geometries in a wide range of sizes, weights, and metals.

The main characteristic that sets the sand casting process apart is using sand as the moulding medium. Using sand to create moulds rather than other materials results in significant cost savings. The costs of producing the moulds largely drive the expenses connected with various casting methods. The moulds used in the procedure are, however, disposable and non-reusable due to the properties of sand. It is impossible to keep the sand mould intact when taking out a casting. On the other hand, metals with high melting temperatures, such as titanium, steel, and nickel, are suitable for sand casting. It is the only casting technique that is compatible with these materials.

Components of a Sand Casting Mould

Four components are typically needed to create a sand casting mould, and they are as follows:

Base Sand: The sand used to build the mould in its most basic form is called base sand. It requires a binding substance to hold it together. Base sand also makes up the core. The most common base sand types are shown below.

• Silica sand
• Olivine sand
• Chromite sand
• Zircon sand
• Chamotte sand

Binders or Binding Agents: The sand particles are adhered to one another by the binding substances. The most popular types of binders are as follows:

Improvement Through Additives: The strength, refractoriness, cushioning, and surface finish of the mould are all improved by additives.

Parting Compounds: This might be a liquid or fine powder that makes removing the design from the mould easier.

Methods of Making Sand Casting

The creation of sand casting moulds involves a variety of techniques. These are as follows:

Bedding-in Method

The solid cylindrical design may also be created using the “bedding-in approach”. This method involves half filling the drag with moulding sand and ramming it. After enough pounding, the pattern is permanently etched into the sand. The sand close to the pattern is tucked and banged forcefully to guarantee precise ramming. Sometimes the pattern is taken off, and the surface of the sand is checked for any soft areas. If there are any soft spots, more sand is rammed into the area until it is tightly packed. The pattern is again pressed lower to guarantee a thoroughly rammed mould chamber.

False Cope Method

False cope moulding is another technique for creating solid cylindrical designs. Unlike bedding-in, this procedure does not need ramming the sand tightly beneath the design. In order to create a smooth separating surface, the design is first bedded into the coping without consideration for sand ramming beneath the pattern. The drag portion of the flask is then positioned on top of the cope after the cope and pattern have been dusted with separating sand. The usual ramming process is then carried out. The entire assembly is grasped and turned over on a bed of sand. The cope and cope bottom board are removed, and the clamps are subsequently destroyed.

False Cope Method

False cope moulding is another technique for creating solid cylindrical designs. Unlike bedding-in, this procedure does not need ramming the sand tightly beneath the design. In order to create a smooth separating surface, the design is first bedded into the coping without consideration for sand ramming beneath the pattern. The drag portion of the flask is then positioned on top of the cope after the cope and pattern have been dusted with separating sand. The usual ramming process is then carried out. The entire assembly is gripped and turned over on a bed of sand. The cope and cope bottom board are removed, and the clamps are subsequently destroyed.

Flat Back Method

An arrangement with a flat back can do this. After it is finished, the mould cavity is either on the drag side, the cope side, or both. An opening is made by the moulding sand. Along the outside border of the flat backs, the dividing line serves as the starting place for the draught. The pattern is split, and the core was obtained using a dry sand core. The hole’s axis (and core print) are vertical in the first scenario. The second scenario is the same as the first, except that the entire axis is horizontal. On the moulding board, the solid cylindrical design is rolled and rammed. Some sand is removed and smoothed to eliminate the pattern from the sand.

Applications and Advantages of Sand Casting

Sand casting is preferred over metal casting because of its various advantages. The applications and advantages of sand casting are mentioned here:

Advantages of Sand Casting

The advantages of sand casting include:

• It is used to form complex shapes
• It can produce very large parts
• Very low cost for tooling
• Recycle scrap
• It is adaptable and works with all metals, even those with high melting points.
• Easy to scale
• Low production cost
• Complex geometries with thin-wall sections

Applications of Sand Casting

The applications of sand casting include:

• Pump bodies
• Bearings
• Bushings
• Air compressor pistons
• Impellers
• Electronic equipment
• Engine crankcases
• Fittings

Important Topics for Gate Exam
Internal and External Forces	Lami’s theorem
Psychrometry	Composite Material
Types of Patterns	Gear Design
Ceramics	System of Forces
Principle of Virtual Work	Metal Casting
Admixtures	Heat Treatment Process