Influencing of foundry bentonite mixtures by binder activation

Although new moulding processes for manufacture of high quality castings have been developed and introduced into foundry practice in recent years, the green-sand moulding in bentonite mixture still remains the most widely used technology. Higher utility properties of bentonite binders are achieved through their activation. This contribution is aimed at finding a suitable activating agent. A number of sodium salts and MgO based agents has been chosen. In the framework of the experiment the swelling volume of chosen agents was tested and technological parameters of a bentonite mixture with a binder activated with the studied agents were determined

Influence green sand system by core sand additions

Today, about two thirds of iron alloys casting (especially for graphitizing alloys of iron) are produced into green sand systems with usually organically bonded cores. Separation of core sands from the green sand mixture is very difficult, after pouring. The core sand concentration increase due to circulation of green sand mixture in a closed circulation system. Furthermore in some foundries, core sands have been adding to green sand systems as a replacement for new sands. The goal of this contribution is: “How the green sand systems are influenced by core sands?”This effect is considered by determination of selected technological properties and degree of green sand system re-bonding. From the studies, which have been published yet, there is not consistent opinion on influence of core sand dilution on green sand system properties. In order to simulation of the effect of core sands on the technological properties of green sands, there were applied the most common used technologies of cores production, which are based on bonding with phenolic resin. Core sand concentration added to green sand system, was up to 50 %. Influence of core sand dilution on basic properties of green sand systems was determined by evaluation of basic industrial properties: moisture, green compression strength and splitting strength, wet tensile strength, mixture stability against staling and physical-chemistry properties (pH, conductivity, and loss of ignition). Ratio of active betonite by Methylene blue test was also determined

Influence of ecologically friendly cores on surface quality of castings based on magnesium alloys

Constructional materials as Al - alloys can be replaced by other materials with high strength to low mass density ratio, e.g. Mg-alloys. In order to pre-casting of holes and cavities cores based on pure inorganic salt can be applied due to easy cleaning of even geometrically complex pre-cast holes. This technology is applied mainly for gravity and low-pressure casting technology. This contribution is aimed at studying of mutual interaction of the Mg-alloy and the salt core. Experiments were focused on surface quality; macro- and microstructure of testing casting samples determination. Metallographic analysis and scanning electron microscope (SEM) with X-ray energy-dispersion superficial and spot microanalysis (EDAX) were employed

Gasification of biomass with CO2 and H2O mixtures in a catalytic fluidised bed

Steam can be fully or partially substituted by CO2 as a gasification agent. This substitution affects producer gas composition, char conversion and in-situ tar reforming. Here, wood chips were gasified in a spouting fluidised bed using silica sand and catalytic dolomitic lime as the bed material at 850 °C. The use of a gasifying agent composed of CO2 and H2O was compared to the use of CO2 or H2O alone. It was found that mixtures of CO2 and H2O as the gasifying agent improve char conversion, and that the combined gasification agents are very effective in ensuring the decomposition/destruction of tars when lime based materials are used in the fluidised bed

Upalni i hematotoksični potencijal metabolita plijesni Stachybotrys chartarum (Ehrenb.) Hughes u zatvorenim prostorijama

Mould Stachybotrys chartarum (Ehrenb.) Hughes is known to pose a health risk in indoor environments. Most of its strains can produce several intra- and extracellular trichothecene mycotoxins. Complex secondary metabolites of stachybotrys isolates from mouldy dwellings/public buildings in Slovakia were intratracheally instilled in Wistar male rats (4 μg in 0.2 mL of 0.2 % dimethylsulphoxide; diacetoxyscirpenol as the positive control). After three days, haematological parameters were measured in peripheral blood and infl ammatory response biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fl uid (BALF), and the results were statistically analysed. Exometabolites proved to suppress red blood cell (RBC), decreasing the total RBC count, haemoglobin, and haematocrit. The exposed rats showed signifi cantly higher total BALF cell count, indicating infl ammation, lower alveolar macrophage counts, and increased granulocyte count related to the BALF cells. Due to haematotoxic and infl ammation-inducing properties, metabolites of S. chartarum can cause damage to the airways and haematological disorders in occupants of mouldy buildings.Plijesan Stachybotrys chartarum (Ehrenb.) Hughes poznata je kao rizični mikroorganizam u zatvorenim prostorijama. Većina njezinih sojeva može proizvesti nekoliko unutarstaničnih i izvanstaničnih trikotecenskih mikotoksina. Muškim Wistar štakorima instilirani su intratrahealno kompleksni sekundarni metaboliti stahibotrisa izolirani iz stambenih i javnih zgrada u Slovačkoj zahvaćenima plijesni (4 μg na 0,2 mL 0,2 %-tnog dimetilsulfoksida; dok se diacetoksiscirpenol rabio kao pozitivna kontrola). Tri dana kasnije izmjereni su hematološki parametri u perifernoj krvi te biopokazatelji upalnoga odgovora u bronhoalveolarnome ispirku te su rezultati obrađeni statistički. Pokazalo se da egzometaboliti suprimiraju eritrocite, smanjujući njihov ukupni broj, hemoglobin i hematokrit. Izloženi štakori imali su značajno veći broj stanica u bronhoalveolarnome ispirku, što upućuje na upalu, dok im je broj alveolarnih makrofaga bio manji, a broj granulocita povezanih sa stanicama u ispirku veći. Zbog svojih hematotoksičnih i upalnih svojstava S. chartarum može dovesti do oštećenja dišnih putova i poremećaja u krvotvornome sustavu osoba koje žive i/ili rade u zgradama zahvaćenima tom plijesni

Reclamation of self-setting mixtures with olivine bound with alkaline resols

For the reasons of environmental problems connected with the use of furan binders the attention is increasingly paid to self-setting mixtures with alkali resols. A resol binder stabilized with KOH, NaOH is hardened by liquid esters with the formation of alkaline salts. The increase of their concentration affects the shortening of the mixture bench life, it decreases strength, abrasive wear of moulds and cores is growing, and it results in uneconomical dilution of the reclaim with expensive new base sand. Length of life (bench life) of mixtures plays an important role just in manufacture of huge and voluminous moulds and cores in self-setting mixtures. This contribution aims at analyzing the function of reactive alkaline salts in the reclaim, it monitors consequences of its thermal exposure on properties of self-setting mixtures, and it deals with development of methods evaluating its qualities

The optimal tribotechnical factors in the design of machines – environmental element in the production systems

The article deals with the experimental detection of the tribotechnical parameters for two different types of sliding bearings which are intended for operation without an additional lubrication due to the increasing requirements in ecology and environment. The dominant tribotechnical parameters of the self-lubricating bearing are the coefficient of friction and temperature. To determine these parameters, an experimental method was applied in this paper. The introductory part deals with materials of self-lubricating sliding bearings, their properties and usage. The experimental part consists of the evaluation of friction characteristics and geometric change of a surface after sliding pairs were being worn. Experimental examined sliding pairs comprise a sliding bearing and the shaft. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of radial force on tribotechnical parameters in order to predict the behavior of examined sliding bearings in real operating conditions

Application of Non-Silica Sands for High Quality Castings

The goal of this article is to application of non-silica sands based on alumininosilicates as an alternative of traditionally used chromite sand for alloyed steel and iron castings. Basic parameters as bulk density, pH value of water suspension, refractoriness, grain shape of the testing sands were evaluated. Also mechanical properties of furan no-bake moulding mixtures with testing sand were determined. Finally, the influence of non-silica sand on casting quality was evaluated via semi-scale under normal casting production for sand characterization. Optimization of production process and production costs were described

Reclamation of Self-Setting Mixtures with Olivine Bound with Alkaline Resols

For the reasons of environmental problems connected with the use of furan binders the attention is increasingly paid to self-setting mixtures with alkali resols. A resol binder stabilized with KOH, NaOH is hardened by liquid esters with the formation of alkaline salts. The increase of their concentration affects the shortening of the mixture bench life, it decreases strength, abrasive wear of moulds and cores is growing, and it results in uneconomical dilution of the reclaim with expensive new base sand. Length of life (bench life) of mixtures plays an important role just in manufacture of huge and voluminous moulds and cores in self-setting mixtures. This contribution aims at analyzing the function of reactive alkaline salts in the reclaim, it monitors consequences of its thermal exposure on properties of self-setting mixtures, and it deals with development of methods evaluating its qualities