Compositions comprising silicates and methods of use thereof in sand casting
AssigneeImerys USA, Inc.
InventorVictor S. Lafay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Compositions useful for foundry processes such as green sand casting are discussed. The compositions may comprise an aggregate, at least one inorganic binding agent, and at least one high aspect ratio silicate. For example, the composition may comprise sand, one or more clay materials serving as a binding agent, and a high aspect ratio silicate chosen from mica, talc, or a combination thereof. The composition may be formed into a green sand mold for use in casting molded articles. Incorporation of the high aspect ratio silicate may help to improve the quality of the casted article.
Claims20
A sand casting composition comprising, by weight relative to a total weight of the sand casting composition:
- from about 80% to about 90% aggregate;
- from about 5.0% to about 15.0% inorganic binding agent;
- and
- from about 0.1% to about 5.0% high aspect ratio silicate;
- wherein:
- the aggregate comprises silica sand, chromite sand, or zircon sand,
- the high aspect ratio silicate has an aspect ratio greater than 10,
- the sand casting composition exhibits a 170 g squeeze pressure less than 300 PSI, and
- a combined weight of the aggregate, the inorganic binding agent, and the high aspect ratio silicate is less than or equal to 100%, relative to the total weight of the sand casting composition.
A method of sand casting, the method comprising:
- preparing a sand casting composition by combining an aggregate, an inorganic binding agent, and a high aspect ratio silicate with water;
- and
- preparing a mold by forming the sand casting composition into a shape, wherein the sand casting composition includes, by weight relative to a total weight of the sand casting composition:
- from about 80% to about 90% aggregate;
- from about 5.0% to about 15.0% inorganic binding agent;
- and
- from about 0.1% to about 5.0% high aspect ratio silicate, and wherein:
- the aggregate comprises silica sand, chromite sand, or zircon sand,
- the high aspect ratio silicate has an aspect ratio greater than 10,
- the sand casting composition exhibits a 170 g squeeze pressure less than 300 PSI, and
- a combined weight of the aggregate, the inorganic binding agent, and the high aspect ratio silicate is less than or equal to 100%, relative to the total weight of the sand casting composition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.