Simple Solutions That Work! Issue 9

18 Figure 2. Formaldehyde emission comparison of conventional, E-Series and EcoFlo RCS technologies. Figure 3. Lump comparison for each of the RCS technologies at high temperature, medium humidity, and long duration. Figure 4. Lump comparison for each of the RCS technologies at mid temperature, high humidity, and long duration. Contact: MITCH PATTERSON [email protected] HEAT & HUMIDITY RESISTANCE The largest hurdle of low emissions sands is heat and humidity resistance. To measure this, samples of sand were subjected to multiple heat and humidity environments. The samples were evaluated for percent of sand that had agglomerated in these environments. The testing (Figures 3-4) confirms that low emissions sand grades have a susceptibility for lumping while conventional grades remained mostly lump-free. For high temperature and medium humidity environments, E-Series sands experienced 68% lumping while the second generation of low emission sand, EcoFlo, exhibited only 2% of lumps. Switching to high humidity, medium temperature provoked lumping even in the conventional Custom Coat sample. The same environment provoked 64% lumping in E-Series sand and only 14% in EcoFlo sand. Mission accomplished, a low emission sand is now available with humidity resistance that more closely resembles a conventional grade. SUMMARY Since the inception of Shell Sand, new technologies have emerged that each have their own advantages. Conventional grades provide a robust core making material with the highest strength and well documented levels Shell Sand emission and familiar odors. The first generation of low emission sand offers high reductions in core making emissions and serves as the most effective technology for formaldehyde emission reduction. These grades are easily implemented to reduce emissions and maintain productivity with the exception of high heat and humidity environment. The second generation and latest low emission technology offers similar emission reduction while maintaining effectiveness in high heat and humidity environments. By balancing the need for each of these properties, resin coated sand offerings can be reviewed to determine which technology best fits your foundry’s specific application and environmental requirements.