Evaluation of the Foundry Properties of River Niger Sand Behind Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, Ajaokuta, Nigeria

Abstract

Ajaokuta Steel Plant is the largest integrated steel complex in black Africa, located along the west bank of river Niger in Nigeria. Though full take off was delayed, it is expected that when it becomes operational it will attract lots of ancillary and small to heavy industries to the area. These would require large foundry plants for the spare and completely knocked down parts. This study investigated foundry properties of river Niger sand behind the steel plant for its possible uses in sand casting in the foundries. Bentonite and kaolin were used as binders. Experimental techniques which included the mechanical sieve analysis, determination of clay content and refractoriness of river Niger sand and mechanical analyses consisting of green/dry compressive, green hardness, permeability and shatter index tests of moulded specimens were conducted to measure foundry properties of the sand. Its physiochemical properties showed it is alumino-silicate with low fusion temperature of 1380°C, made up of about 15% fine and 62% medium sand by classification standard and it is suitable for casting non ferrous alloys. The sand gave good mechanical properties when bonded with kaolin or bentonite clay, with kaolin giving better bond properties.