Cores

Cores are made of sand which are used to make cavities and hallow
projections.

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 Characteristics of Core
Green strength – sufficient strength to hold up its shape till it is baked.

Dry strength – sufficient strength to resist bending forces due to hydrostatic

pressure from the liquid (molten metal), when core is placed inside the mould

Refractoriness – core is surrounded on all sides by molten metal and should

have high refractoriness.

Permeability – gases evolved may pass through the core to escape and
should posses sufficient permeability.

Collapsibility – should shrink as molten metal shrinks during solidification

Friability – should get dismantled easily once the casting is completely cooled.

Smoothness – surface of core should be smooth to have better surface finish.

Low gas emission – emission of gases from core should be as low as

possible to avoid voids formed inside core
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 Core Sand
Core sand must be stronger than moulding sand

Core sand = Sand grains + Binders + Additives

Sand grains
ØSand containing more than 5% clay is not used to make core

ØExcessive clay reduces the permeability and collapsibility of the core.

ØCoarse silica used for making steels and finer one for cast iron an
non- ferrous alloys
Binders
ØOrganic binders tend to burn away under the heat of molten metal
and hence increases the collapsibility of the core.

ØOrganic binder develop strength by polymerisation and cross-linking

and hence cores are baked.
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ØSome of the binders are linseed oil, dextrin, molasses, resins etc.
 Core Prints
ØCore prints are extra projections provided on the pattern that form
a seat in the mould. Core prints support the core in the mould cavity.

Core shifts and chaplets

ØChaplets are used to support the cores
which tend to sag without adequate supports.

ØChaplets are made of the same material as

that of the casting.

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 Types of Cores
Horizontal cores –
§It is held horizontally along the parting line of the mould.
§Ends of core rests in the seats provided by core prints on the pattern.

Vertical cores –

§Two ends of the mould sits on the cope and drag portion of the mould.
§Amount of taper on the top is more than the taper at the bottom of the core.

Balanced cores –

§When openings are required at only one end, balanced cores are used.
§Core prints are available at one end of the pattern.
§Core prints need to be sufficiently longer to support the core in case of longer
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holes.
 Types of Cores
Hanging cores –
They are used when the casting is made in drag.

Core is supported from above and hangs into the mould.

Fastening wires or rods are used and hole is made in the upper part of the core
so that molten metal reaches the mould cavity.

Cover cores –
In cover core, core hangs from the cope portion and is supported by the drag.

Core acts as a cover and hence termed as cover core.

Wing cores –
A wing core is used when hole or recess is to be obtained in casting.

Core print is given sufficient amount of taper so that core is placed

45 readily in the mould.