Near infrared spectroscopic analysis of foundry moulding and core sands

Sands coated, mixed and polymerised with a wide variety of materials are used to make moulds and cores for the casting of metals. Heating results in the production of a wide variety of organic materials by pyrolysis. These resulting compounds may need to be characterised before waste sands can be beneficially used in the environment. The objective of this work was to examine the potential of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to qualitatively identify organic residues in waste green sands (clay-bonded moulding sand). Examination of spectra of waste green sands, burnt and unburnt cores and components used in producing sands for the foundry industry have demonstrated that NIR spectroscopy has potential for use to confirm the identity and composition of source materials. Additional research is needed to determine if NIR spectroscopy can be successfully used to quantify organics present in waste foundry sands.