Brief Description:
Silica sand, also known as quartz sand, is the most common type of sand used in casting. It is composed of silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and is widely utilized in metal casting due to its low cost and abundance in nature. The properties of silica sand include high thermal resistance at elevated temperatures, moldability, and recyclability.
Applications of Silica Sand:
Use in the Casting Industry:
One of the primary applications of silica sand is in the casting and molding of metal tools and equipment. Casting sand varies depending on its application (such as backing sand, facing sand, core sand, and wet molding sand) and has different specifications. Generally, the common characteristics of casting sand include high resistance to heat, low thermal expansion coefficient, gas permeability, heat transfer capability, formability, and high collapsibility.
Water Treatment
Interestingly, silica sand is also used for water treatment. In treatment plants, silica sand with particle sizes ranging from 0.4 to 0.7 mm is used in the bottom layer, 0.8 to 1.2 mm in the middle layer, and 3 to 6 mm in the top layer. This layered approach is highly effective for water purification and the removal of contaminants.
Production of Fiberglass
Silica sand can be mixed with other materials such as feldspar and dolomite in specific ratios and formulas to produce fiberglass. As discussed in the article about fiberglass, this material is considered one of the best thermal and acoustic insulators.
These characteristics and applications make silica sand a versatile material in various industries.
Use in Sandblasting Processes
To clean the surfaces of metal objects (such as large metal tanks, ships, and metal molds) from rust or to give a renewed shine to their surfaces, silica sand is sprayed onto them at high pressure using air or water.
