Mineral Sands for Casting and Abrasive Blasting
Using high-quality mineral sands can ensure productivity, consistency, and efficiency in the processes of casting, abrasive blasting, and more.
Because mineral sands from The Chemours Company offer low thermal expansion and high reaction resistance, they are very reliable for use in extreme temperatures and corrosive environments. These features make Chemours mineral sands ideal for foundry and ceramics applications.
Foundry Applications
Foundries require high-quality mineral sands to complete casting processes successfully. The sand is bonded to form molds or patterns used for ferrous (steel, iron) and non-ferrous (brass, copper, aluminum) metal casting.
In addition to being used in molds and cores, mineral sands are also an ideal choice for foundry, blasting, and ceramic applications.
The right mineral sands can provide benefits such as:
- Excellent casting surfaces
- Resistance to metal penetration and “burn in”
- Low thermal expansion to aid dimensional accuracy
- Resistance to metal reaction with most alloys
- Reduced cleaning and machining
- Low binder requirements
- High thermal conductivity
- High bulk density
In some cases, after the casting is made, mineral sands are used for abrasive blasting. Abrasive blasting media comes in a variety of particle sizes and types to fit each unique application. Harder particles make for easier cleanup because they don’t shatter, but they may not be appropriate for blasting softer surfaces. Coarser abrasives can better prepare metal surfaces for coating by creating an anchor pattern. The surface being worked with and the goal of the blasting dictates what blasting media works best.
Ceramics Applications
Ceramic manufacturing requires mineral sands to impart opacity and to create glazes on materials like tiling. Mineral sands are also used to create ceramics able to withstand high temperatures and corrosive environments.
The right particle size and type of industrial mineral sand improves opacity, increases craze resistance, and improves glaze texture control.
Mineral sands are used in:
- Glazes
- Ceramic/refractory bricks
- Sanitary wares
- Wall tiles
- Dinnerware
- Electrical porcelain
- Glazed brick and industrial tiles
- Artwork
Chemours Mineral Products
Chemours offers a range of products that meet the diverse needs of customers in the foundry and ceramics industries, including:
All mineral sands are processed and washed to ensure they are free of dirt, dust, and ultrafine particles. Each product is separated from other minerals to produce high-quality, uniform products. The differences in mineral composition for each product yields unique physical and chemical properties, allowing customers to choose the right material for their needs.