INVESTIGATION OF THE BINDING PROPERTIES OF TECHNICAL STARCH IN MOLDING AND CORE SAND MIXTURES

Abstract

Abstract. This thesis investigates the potential of technical-grade starch as a natural polymeric binder for molding and core sand mixtures used in foundry production. The binding mechanism is considered in terms of the macromolecular structure of starch, which consists predominantly of amylose and amylopectin, as well as its swelling and gelatinization in the presence of water, resulting in the formation of an adhesive polymer film on the surface of sand grains. The effects of starch content, moisture level, thermal treatment, and chemical or physical modification on the mechanical strength, gas permeability, and moisture uptake of molding and core mixtures are also discussed.