Investigation of the Potentials of Grade 2 Nigerian Acacia Species Exudate as Moulding Sand Binder in Local Non-Ferrous Foundries in Nigeria

摘要

Local foundry works have been practiced for centuries in Nigeria with very little advancement due mostly to non-availability or lack of knowledge on efficacy of high quality and affordable local sand binders and other inputs to the Nigerian small scale foundry man. This constrained the sector to the production of poor quality domestic casting with no capacity for casting high quality parts needed in industrial plants and machineries. The research investigated the viability of using the grade 2 of the four grades of acacia species produced in commercial quantities in Nigeria as moulding sand binder for local non-ferrous foundries. Experiments were used to measure mechanical properties such as green and dry compressive strength, permeability, hardness, shatter index and moisture content of sand mould specimens bonded with grade 2 Nigerian acacia species using equipment like the universal strength testing machine, permeability meter, hardness tester, shatter test machine and quick moisture teller in the laboratory of Ajaokuta Steel Company. Result showed that the material in solution form is not suitable, but when added in powdered form is suitable for binding sand for aluminium alloy (4.5%-6.0% binder); brass and bronze (8.0-9.0%); magnesium and other non-ferrous castings (11.5-13% binder content)