The production of phenolic resin-based abrasive with use of solid waste sand of foundry industry

Molding sand, which becomes solid waste after casting processes, is an important item to be recycled and used, as well as turning it into useful products with economic value, due to the fact that it creates an environmental problem and increases storage costs. The studies on this subject are still insufficient. In this study, the SiC phase were obtained from solid waste casting sand whose basic material is silica and from phenolic resin as a C source, and their usability as an abrasive was investigated. Densities of the products were measured with a Helium pycnometer; the hardness with a Shore D device; pore structure and distribution with the BET method; the surface functions with a FTIR Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer; the development of bonds in the structure and morphology with a Confocal Raman Microscope; the phase analysis using the XRD method; and microstructural examinations with SEM analysis. As a result, it was determined that a high temperature was needed to obtain the SiC phase with the conventional pressure less sintering method using solid waste casting sand, but the resin used did not withstand the required high temperature.