Development of resource-saving composition of sand-clay mixtures for steel castings with improved physical and chemical characteristics

The paper examines the problems of traditional sand-clay mixtures (SСM) used in steel castings and proposes solutions. Standard compositions including quartz sand, water and bentonite often exhibit limited gas permeability and insufficient strength. To address this, starch and soda ash were introduced as environmentally friendly additives. The scientific novelty of this research lies in the use of starch and soda ash to enhance the binding structure of sand-clay mixtures, thereby simultaneously improving strength and gas permeability without increasing production costs. Experimental analysis confirmed improvements in compressive strength and gas permeability, making the proposed mixture promising for industrial applications.