A model for predicting the thermal conductivities of bentonite-bonded molding sands at high temperatures

The effective thermal conductivities of bonded molding sands vary with the dry density, binder content, initial moisture content, temperature as well as the types of sand and binder clay. In this study, a theoretical model for predicting the effective thermal conductivities of bentonitebonded molding sands was developed. The results of measurement of the effective thermal conductivities of molding sands at temperatures up to 750°C were used. The binder thermal conductivities of both western bentonite and southern bentonite were suggested as a function of dry density, binder content and initial moisture content and were assumed not to vary with temperature. The radiation model proposed by Vortmeyer was also incorporated. The model developed in this study was proved to predict well the effects of binder content, initial moisture content, dry density and temperature.