Wettability, flowability and core bending strength of wet silica sand particles based on the interfacial properties of liquid silicate binders

The flowability of wet silica sand particles containing liquid binders, which are among the new moulding materials for green casting, must be further improved. Herein, we conducted an in-depth study on the interface characteristics of silicate binders with the addition of anionic surfactants. Through particle flow experiments and sand core bending fracture experiments, the influence of anionic surfactants on the flow characteristics of wet sand particles and the mechanical properties of silicate-bonded sand was explored. The experimental results showed that the addition of 0.10 wt% of an anionic surfactant significantly reduced the surface tension and contact angle of solutions, from 78.99 to 28.53 mN/m, and from 49.9 degrees to 34.4 degrees. Moreover, compared with unmodified wet particles, the flowability of wet particles modified with 0.10 wt% of the anionic surfactant was improved to some extent. However, the flexural strength of silicate-bonded sand was also reduced to a certain extent.