The ceaseless progress of nanotechnology, observed in the last years, causes that nanomaterials are more and more often applied in several
fields of industry, technique and medicine. E.g. silver nanoparticles are used in biomedicine for disinfection and polymer nanoparticles
allow insulin transportation in pharmacology. New generation materials containing nanoparticles are also used in the chemical industry
(their participation in the commercial market equals app. 53 %). Nanomaterials are used in electronics, among others for semiconductors
production (e.g. for producing nanoink Ag, which conducts electric current).
Nanomaterials, due to their special properties, are also used in the foundry industry in metallurgy (e.g. metal alloys with nanocrystalline
precipitates), as well as in investment casting and in moulding and core sand technologies. Nanoparticles and containing them composites
are applied in several technologies including foundry practice, automotive industry, medicine, dentistry etc. it is expected that their role
and market share will be successively growing.
The nanocomposites based on water glass matrix were attempted in the study. Nanoparticles of ZnO, Al2O3 or MgO in organic solutions
were applied into water glass matrix in the amounts of: 1.5; 3; 4 or 5 mas. %. Wettability of the quartz sad by the nanocomposites based on
water glass matrix was determined by testing changes of the wetting angle θ in time τ for the system: quartz – binder in non-stationary
state, by means of the device for measuring wetting angles. Wettability measurements were carried out under isothermal conditions at an
ambient temperature (20 – 25 oC). The modification improves wettability of quartz matrix by water glass, which is effective in improving
strength properties of hardened moulding sands. Out of the considered modifiers in colloidal solution of propyl alcohol water glass
modified by MgO nanoparticles indicated the smallest values of the equilibrium wetting angle θr. This value was equal app. 11 degrees and
was smaller no less than 40 degrees than θr value determined for not modified water glass. Viscosity η of nanocomposites based on water
glass matrix was determined from the flow curve, it means from the empirically determined dependence of the shearing stress τ on shear
rate γ: τ = f (γ) (1), by means of the rotational rheometer. Measurements were carried out at a constant temperature of 20 oC. The
modification influences the binder viscosity. This influence is conditioned by: amount of the introduced modifier as well as dimensions and
kinds of nanoparticles and organic solvents. The viscosity increase of the modified binder does not negatively influence its functional
properties.
The results of investigations of three commercial binders applied in the Alphaset technology marked as: Sample E , Sample T and Sample S are presented in the hereby paper. These samples were subjected to the pyrolysis process at a temperature of 900°C (inert atmosphere, He 99.9999). The gas chromatograph coupled with the mass spectrometer and pyrolizer (Py-GC/MS) were used in the study. The identification of gases emitted during the thermal decomposition was performed on the basis of the mass spectral library. The obtained results indicate a certain diversification of emitted gases. Among the pyrolysis products the following harmful substances were identified: furfuryl alcohol, formaldehyde, phenol and also substances from the BTEX (benzene, toluene and ethylobezneze and xylenes) PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) and VOC groups (Volatile Organic Compounds). Therefore, from the environment protection point of view performing systematic investigations concerning the harmfulness of binders applied in the moulding and core sands technology, is essential.
In this article, there were presented results of research on influence of reclamation process on the ecological quality of reclaim sand with furan resin used in nonferrous foundry. The quality of reclaimed sand is mainly define by two group of chemical substances from elution of reclaimed sand: Dissolves Organic Carbon (DOC) and Total Dissolves Solids (TDS). Reclaimed sand used in test was prepared in experimental thermal reclaimer and mechanical vibration reclaimer REGMAS installed in Faculty of Foundry Engineering at University of Science and Technology in Krakow. The reference point is molding sand shaking out and crumble in jaw crusher. Test of elution was made in acreditation laboratory in Center For Research and Environmental Control in Katowice up to the standard with Dissolves Organic Carbon (DOC) - PN-EN 1484:1999; Total Dissolves Solids (TDS) - PN-EN 15216:2010. The standard for elution test is PN-EN 12457- 4:2006. Except that we were made loss of ignition test, to check how many resin was rest on sand grains.