Suitability Assessment Of Some Nigerian Natural Moulding Sand Deposits For Foundry Use

Authors

  • J.O. Olawale Department of Materials Science and Engineering Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
  • S.A. Ibitoye Department of Materials Science and Engineering Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
  • M.D. Shittu Department of Materials Science and Engineering Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Keywords:

Clay content, AFS sieve analysis, Mineralogical analysis, Sand

Abstract

This paper investigates the suitability of some Nigeria natural sand deposits as foundry moulding sand. Samples of sand were collected from river bed, sea, and desert deposits in Nigeria. Their clay contents were measured and the grain size and grain size distribution were determined by AFS sieve analysis tests. The mineralogical compositions of the samples were also determined by mineralogical analysis. The results obtained from the samples show that the clay contents are in the range of 0.70 – 5.70 wt. %, silica contents in the range of 88.65 – 98.5wt. %, total minerals contents in the range of 1.5 – 11.5wt. %, while AFS Finesse Number ranges from 46.22 – 100.75. The analyses of the results reveal that each deposit has properties that are suitable for particular types of castings. It was inferred that depending on the deposit, small- medium- and/or large- sized ferrous and non-ferrous castings can be produce.

Author Biographies

J.O. Olawale, Department of Materials Science and Engineering Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

S.A. Ibitoye, Department of Materials Science and Engineering Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

M.D. Shittu, Department of Materials Science and Engineering Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

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Published

2011-11-01

How to Cite

Olawale, J., Ibitoye, S., & Shittu, M. (2011). Suitability Assessment Of Some Nigerian Natural Moulding Sand Deposits For Foundry Use. Ife Journal of Technology, 20(2), 46–50. Retrieved from https://ijt.oauife.edu.ng/index.php/ijt/article/view/91