Assessment of South African Chromite Sand for Binder Jetting Application

Binder Jetting is an Additive manufacturing (AM) technique in which binding liquid jetted on layers of powdered materials, selectively according to the Computer Aided Design (CAD) model form a 3D part. One applications binder jetting technology sand moulds for casting known as Rapid Sand Casting. Silica often used both Casting and traditional moulding due its good refractory properties coupled with low cost. However, use silica associated some technical limitations, including high thermal linear expansion conductivity, hence it not appropriate all applications. Chromite alternative material address shortcomings sand. This study assessed suitability South African rapid casting. Tensile bending compression test specimens were manufactured from different chromite samples using Voxeljet VX printer. The mechanical specimen produced compared those by moulding. It was observed that five printed met minimum tensile strength 220 N/cm2 Hence locally sourced can be utilised casting, reducing environmental impact operational