The use of Yam flour (starch) as binder for sand mould production in Nigeria

Shehu, T. and Bhatti, R.S. (2012) The use of Yam flour (starch) as binder for sand mould production in Nigeria. World Applied Sciences Journal, 16 (6). pp. 858-862. ISSN 1818-495

Abstract

Foundry is the mother of all industries for the reason that it provides components and raw materials for all other industries. This presupposes that there ill be no true industrialization without a solid base foundry industry. Foundry as a manufacturing process through liquid route relies on the imported raw materials which are basically expensive. The current standard in Nigeria and other developing countries of the world have a very little advancement due to lack of affordable local sand binders, hence, the room for improvement. Study was carried out using Dukku Silica sand, from Dukku River of Kebbi State, Nigeria which was collected and analysed in terms of its grains size and clay content; its suitability in mould making was accessed to meet the basic requirements of moulding sand. The experimental study focused on the mechanical properties, such as green/dry compressive strengths, shatter index, collapsibility and permeability. In addition, the effect of the local binder addition was also investigated in this study by varying water and binder contents. The results show good properties for casting non-ferrous metals, malleable iron and light grey iron when the optimum amounts of binder, as obtained in this work, are used for optimum performance. The findings of this study might be of help to the foundry men involve in sand mould production in Nigeria and other developing countries of the world.

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