Biodegradable materials as binders for IVth generation moulding sands.

This paper focuses on the possibility of using the biodegradable materials as binders (or parts of binders' compositions) for foundry moulding and core sands. Results showed that there is a great possibility of using available biodegradable materials as foundry moulding sand binders. Using biodegradable materials as partial content of new binders, or additives to moulding sands may not only decrease the toxicity and increase reclamation ability of tested moulding sands, but also accelerate the biodegradation rate of used binders, and the new biodegradable additive (PCL) did not decrease the strength and thermal properties. In addition, using polycaprolactone (PCL) as a biodegradable material may improve the flexibility of moulding sands with polymeric binder and reduce toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]