STANDARD & CALCINED ZIRCON SAND
Choosing the right sand is critical if you want to produce cleaner, more precise castings. At Carpenter Brothers, Inc., we supply both standard zircon sand and calcined zircon sand — each designed to help foundries cast high-value parts with fewer defects and better surface quality.
Below, we break down how foundries use each type of zircon sand for molds, cores, facing sand, and investment casting.
Standard Zircon Sand for Molds, Cores & Facing Sand
Standard zircon sand is a trusted choice for foundries that pour stainless steels, nickel alloys, and other high-temperature alloys that demand heat resistance and dimensional accuracy.
Why foundries choose standard zircon sand:
- High refractoriness: Handles high pouring temperatures without breaking down.
- Low thermal expansion: Keeps molds and cores dimensionally stable, reducing cracking and distortion.
- Smooth surface finish: Produces molds and cores that help deliver cleaner castings with fewer surface defects.
Common applications:
- Molding Sand: Used as the main sand for molds that need to withstand high temperatures.
- Core Sand: Mixed with binders to produce strong, heat-resistant cores with precise detail.
- Facing Sand: Applied as the first layer in the mold cavity to create a barrier between the molten metal and backing sand — reducing metal penetration, burn-on, and surface defects.
By using premium zircon sand for molds, cores, and facing sand, foundries can improve casting yield, lower scrap rates, and reduce cleaning and finishing time.
Calcined Zircon Sand for Investment Casting
Calcined zircon sand is specially heat-treated to remove impurities and enhance thermal stability — making it the ideal choice for investment casting applications where precision and surface finish are critical.
Why foundries use calcined zircon sand for investment casting:
- Thermally stable: Maintains strength and structure during high-heat shell building and metal pouring.
- Improved purity: Calcining removes moisture and organic matter, reducing gas defects in the final casting.
- Superior surface finish: Produces smooth, detailed castings for demanding parts like turbine blades, aerospace components, and precision medical devices.
In the investment casting process, calcined zircon sand is used in ceramic slurries and as stucco material to build robust ceramic shell molds that deliver excellent dimensional accuracy and fine detail.
The Carpenter Brothers Advantage
- Standard zircon sand gives your molds, cores, and facing sand the heat resistance and precision your castings demand.
- Calcined zircon sand delivers outstanding results for investment casting, helping you produce flawless parts with tight tolerances.
At Carpenter Brothers, Inc., we stock both standard zircon sand and calcined zircon sand — ready to ship when you need it—sold in 50lb bags, 2000 lb. or 4000 lb. supersacks. We’re committed to helping foundries like yours produce better castings, reduce scrap, and stay competitive.
Contact us today for product details, recommendations, or a sample. See for yourself how calcined zircon sand can help your foundry deliver castings with a competitive edge.