Sand casting, also known as sand molded casting, is one of oldest and most popular methods of casting metal products, and has been used for centuries. Sand casting is a process that involves pouring molten metal into a sand mold in order to form final casted product. Sand casting is used in manufacture of a wide range of products, from jewelry to engine components.
While there are several different types of sand used in sand casting, what type of sand you use will depend on particular application you need it for. It is important to select right type of sand for your application in order to achieve desired results.
The most common type of sand used in sand casting is silica sand, or quartz sand. Silica sand is highly pure and has a uniform particle size, making it ideal for sand casting applications. It is relatively inexpensive and widely available, making it a popular choice of sand for many sand casting operations.
Another type of sand used in sand casting is zircon sand. Zircon sand has a higher melting point than silica sand, making it ideal for casting metals with a high melting temperature, such as aluminum or bronzes. Zircon sand is also more resistant to thermal shock, and it does not expand or contract when heated or cooled, making it an excellent choice for precision casting casts.
Other types of sand used in sand casting include chromite sand, lime sand, calcined bauxite sand and alumina sand. Chromite sand is used when a higher level of refractory is needed as this type of sand has a high free silica content and is better suited to cope with thermal shock. Lime sand has a low melting point and is often used for casting metals with a low melting temperature such as iron. Calcined bauxite sand and alumina sand are used in aluminum castings as they both have a high melting point and thermal shock resistance.
No matter what type of sand you choose to use, it is important to purchase best quality possible, as quality of sand will have a direct impact on quality of finished product. In addition, it is also important to use correct amount of sand as too much or too little sand can lead to an unsuccessful casting.
Overall, there are a variety of different types of sand used in sand casting that can be used depending on application. When selecting ideal sand for your application, it is important to research type of sand you need and to purchase best quality available.