Fused Ceramic Sand vs. Olivine Sand
— A Smarter Choice for Modern Green Foundries
In today's casting industry—where high efficiency, low emissions, and precision molding are increasingly prioritized—
the selection of molding materials plays a crucial role in both product quality and cost control. Fused ceramic sand
and olivine sand are two widely used non-silica-based molding materials, each with its own advantages. However,
from the perspective of long-term stable production, green manufacturing, and quality improvement,
fused ceramic sand clearly offers a superior solution.
Advantages of Fused Ceramic Sand
1. Superior Thermal Stability — Reducing Cracks and Sand Burn-on
Fused ceramic sand has a low thermal expansion coefficient, resulting in minimal volume changes under heat.
This significantly reduces expansion-related casting defects such as veining, hot tears, and sand penetration.
It is especially beneficial for high-alloy steel and high-manganese steel castings.
2. Spherical Grain Shape — Enhancing Flow and Precision Molding
Unlike olivine sand’s irregular, angular particles, fused ceramic sand has uniform, round grains. This results
in excellent flowability and mold-filling performance, making it ideal for complex cavities and thin-walled castings.
3. Reduced Resin Consumption = Lower Costs + Fewer Defects
Thanks to its smaller surface area and better flowability, fused ceramic sand requires 40%–50% less resin to achieve
the same mold strength. This leads to significant savings on raw materials and reduced gas generation, thereby
lowering the risk of casting defects such as porosity, blowholes, and inclusions.
4. Outstanding Recyclability — “No Sand Goes to Waste”
With high mechanical strength and excellent thermal shock resistance, fused ceramic sand exhibits minimal breakage
and has a much longer service life than olivine sand. It can be reused many times, reducing long-term sand procurement
costs and minimizing waste disposal.
5. Green Manufacturing — A Leap from Traditional to Eco-Friendly Foundries
Fused ceramic sand is non-toxic, odorless, and generates less dust. Combined with its low gas emissions and high recyclability,
it helps improve the working environment, lower emissions, and reduce the risk of occupational lung diseases. It also supports
environmental compliance and eligibility for government incentives.
6. More Than Savings — A Boost in Quality
Many foundries report that after switching to fused ceramic sand, casting surfaces become smoother, welding and grinding
are significantly reduced, and the pass rate improves. This reduces downstream labor and equipment workload, unlocking
new levels of efficiency.
Property | Fused Ceramic Sand | Olivine Sand |
Main Composition | Al₂O₃ ≥ 70%, SiO₂ 15–25% | Mg₂SiO₄ |
Grain Shape / Angularity | Spherical / 1.06 | Angular / 1.3–1.4 |
Bulk Density (g/cm³) | 1.6–2.0 | 2.6–3.3 |
Mohs Hardness | 7.5–8 | 6.5–7 |
Refractoriness (℃) | ≥1800℃ | 1650–1750℃ |
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (20–600℃) | 7.2×10⁻⁶ /K | 10×10⁻⁶ ~ 12×10⁻⁶ /K |