SUITABILILITY OF OWOH MOULDING SAND FOR FOUNDRY INDUSTRIES USING UMULUMGBE CLAY AS BINDER

This research, investigated the suitability of Owoh moulding sand for foundry applications. Chemical analysis was conducted using X-ray flouresence (XRF). Result of the chemical analysis revealed that Owoh River sand has 90.5% SiO3, 3.9% Fe2O3 and 3.21% CaO as its predominant oxides. The silica content of 90.50% compares well with the acceptable values of between 80% and 97% recommended for moulding. Sieve analysis and other mechanical tests were conducted using accepted international standard. From the sieve analysis results, it was revealed that Owoh River sand has grain fineness number of 71.97. The mechanical properties test conducted were green compressive strength, green shear strength, dry compressive strength, dry shear strength, permeability and moisture content. The results obtained showed that the green compressive strength was 29.5KN/m2, dry compressive strength was 225KN/m2, permeability was 155.00 (No) and moisture content was 4.20% at 5% water content, and 8% Umulumgbe clay content. From the results, it was found that 5% water content and 8% Umulumgbe clay content were most suitable for mouldingOwoh River sand for applicationsin non-ferrous foundry and therefore, the result compares favourable with the international accepted moulding standard. Therefore Umulumgbe clay content could serve as alternative to other conventional binder like bentonite in the non-ferrous foundry industries