Foundry Sand
Foundry sand is washed, dried and graded silica sand used to make green sand moulds and resin-bonded cores. Consistent grain size, low clay and low acid demand give stable moulding properties and clean castings. We supply foundry silica sand to iron, steel and non-ferrous foundries across South Africa and SADC.
Typical foundry sand specification
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Material | Washed and dried silica sand |
| SiO2 | above 97% |
| AFS grain fineness number (GFN) | Grades from about 45 to 65; others on request |
| Grain shape | Sub-angular to sub-rounded |
| Clay content | Low; stated per batch |
| Moisture | Dried, below 0.5% for resin systems |
Grading and chemistry are confirmed on the certificate of analysis. Send your current specification and we will match it.
Applications
| Process | Typical grade |
|---|---|
| Green sand moulding (iron and steel) | Medium GFN, with coal dust and bentonite additions |
| No-bake and resin-bonded moulds | Dried, low-acid-demand sand |
| Shell and cold-box cores | Finer, tightly graded sand |
Related foundry products
- Foundry coal dust for green sand
- Silica flour for mould and core coatings
- Refractory silica for linings and ramming mixes
Frequently asked questions
What does the AFS GFN number mean?
It is a single number describing average grain size: the higher the number, the finer the sand. Finer sand gives a smoother casting surface but lower permeability.
Do you supply bagged or bulk?
Both: bags, 1-ton bulk bags and tipper loads for larger foundries.