Quality Assessment of Castings Manufactured in the Technology of Moulding Sand with Furfuryl-Resole Resin Modified with PCL Additive

Abstract

This paper deals with the issue of using moulding sands with a new two-component binder: furfuryl-resole resin – PCL polycaprolactone for the production of ductile iron heavy castings. The previous laboratory studies showed the possibility of using biodegradable materials as binders or parts of binders’ compositions for foundry moulding and core sands. The research proved that addition of new biodegradable PCL in the amount of 5% to the furfuryl-resole resin does not cause significant changes in moulding sand’s properties. The article presents research related to the production of ductile iron castings with the use of moulds with a modified composition, i.e. sands with furfuryl resole resin with and without PCL. Mechanical properties and microstructure of the casting surface layer at the metal/ mould interface are presented. The obtained test results indicate that the use of a biodegradable additive for making foundry moulds from moulding sand with a two-component binder does not deteriorate the properties of ductile iron castings.

Keywords

• moulding sand
• organic binder
• biodegradable pcl additive
• ductile cast iron