Foundry Sand
Sub-Categories
| Sub-Category | Common Specifications | Main Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Washed Quartz Sand | 20/40, 30/50, 40/70, 50/100, 70/140 mesh | Clay sand and resin sand molding and core making; suitable for both cast iron and cast steel |
| Scoured Sand | High-silica natural sea sand, 20/40, 30/50, 40/70, 70/140 mesh, clay content ≤0.3% | Furan resin no-bake sand and cold-box core making; castings with high surface finish requirements |
| Resin-Coated Sand | 70/140, 100/200 mesh, hot-coated phenolic resin | Shell mold / shell core process; sand cores (block water jackets, exhaust passages, intake and exhaust pipes, etc.) |
| Ceramic Sand (Ceramsite Sand) | 30/50, 40/70, 70/140 mesh | Large cast steel parts and complex cores; replaces chromite sand to reduce cost |
| Resin Sand (Reclaimed Sand) | Supplied to match the foundry's sand system | Make-up and reclamation of used sand for resin no-bake sand production lines |
| Special Sand | Chromite sand, zircon sand, olivine sand | Localized chilling facing sand and anti-burn-on facing sand for cast steel parts |
* The above are common specifications. Other mesh sizes and special requirements can be customized by phone; wholesale by the tonne is supported.
Detailed Sub-Category Information
▍Washed Quartz Sand / Scoured Sand
Washed quartz sand is made from natural silica sand by washing, desliming and screening. It has clean grain size and good cost performance, and is the most widely used basic molding material in clay sand and resin sand processes. Scoured sand is based on premium high-silica natural sea sand with SiO2 content up to 97.5% or more, low clay content and rounded grain shape. After washing and grading, the high-silica sea sand is mechanically scoured to further remove mud and impurities, bringing clay content below 0.3%. This reduces resin consumption, making it suitable for no-bake sand lines with high requirements on casting surface quality.
▍Resin-Coated Sand
Phenolic resin is hot-coated onto the sand grain surface, giving good flowability, high strength and low gas evolution for shell mold and shell core processes. Resin-coated sand cores are dimensionally accurate with a smooth surface, widely used for complex cores such as engine block and head water jacket cores, intake and exhaust port cores and hydraulic valve cores. We keep common grades in stock and can adjust resin addition rate and curing speed to your core shape and pouring material.
▍Ceramic Sand (Ceramsite Sand)
Made from premium bauxite by electric melting and blowing, it has high sphericity, refractoriness ≥1800°C, low thermal expansion and low breakage rate, and can be reused repeatedly. Used for large cast steel and alloy steel parts, it noticeably reduces sand burn-on and veining defects. Compared with chromite sand it has a lower overall cost, and its reusability far exceeds that of natural sand.
▍Resin Sand / Reclaimed Sand
We supply raw sand and reclaimed sand for furan resin no-bake sand and cold-box sand processes, with controlled loss on ignition and fines content to ensure stable molding sand strength. When the reclaimed sand reuse ratio is high, grain size distribution and clay content must be monitored; we can deliver regularly and track indicators according to your sand processing system.
▍Special Sands
Chromite sand and zircon sand have a high heat storage coefficient and a strong local chilling effect. They are used as facing sand and coating aggregate for thick hot spots in cast steel parts to prevent sand burn-on and chemical adhesion. Olivine sand is suitable for high-manganese steel castings, avoiding the burn-on caused by the reaction of silica sand with MnO. Special grain sizes and indicators can be customized to your conditions.
Main Technical Data (Washed / Scoured Quartz Sand as Example)
| Test Item | Indicator | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) | ≥ 97.5% | High-silica natural sea sand base; ≥98% available for cast steel use |
| Clay Content | Washed sand ≤0.5%; scoured sand ≤0.3% | Reduces resin / clay consumption |
| Grain Size Distribution | Concentration rate ≥ 90% | Common 20/40, 30/50, 40/70, 50/100, 70/140 mesh |
| Angularity Coefficient | ≤ 1.35 (rounded) | Good flowability, high compactability |
| Loss on Ignition | ≤ 0.5% | Low gas evolution, reducing porosity defects |
| Refractoriness | ≥ 1700℃ | Suitable for both cast iron and cast steel |
Selection Advice
- ✓Small cast iron parts: washed sand 50/100 or 70/140 mesh, cost first
- ✓Resin no-bake sand line: scoured sand 40/70 mesh, clay content ≤0.3% to reduce resin consumption
- ✓Complex cores (water jackets, gas passages): resin-coated sand 70/140 mesh, used with coating
- ✓Large cast steel parts: ceramic sand or chromite sand facing sand to prevent sand burn-on and insufficient chilling
- ✓High-manganese steel parts: choose olivine sand to avoid burn-on from the reaction of SiO2 with MnO
Packaging, Storage & Transport
Resin-coated sand is packed in 1-ton jumbo bags with an inner film liner, moisture-proof and anti-caking, shelf life 6 months (avoid high-temperature storage). Washed sand and ceramic sand are supplied in bulk tankers or 1-ton bags. All sand products should be stored in a dry warehouse; resin-coated sand must never be exposed to the sun. Full truckload or LTL shipping is available; specific logistics arrangements can be discussed.
Need a foundry sand quotation or samples?
Provide your process and grain size requirements to obtain wholesale prices and free samples
