Kaist Sintered Ceramic Sand is a premium, high-performance foundry medium specifically engineered for the production of precision molds and cores. Composed of high-purity mullite crystals and produced through a sophisticated spherical firing process rather than crushing, this artificial sand ensures exceptional quality stability. It is the ideal raw material for high-value metal casting and advanced Sand 3D Printing, compatible with industry-leading systems such as ExOne, Voxeljet, and KOCEL.
Designed to meet the rigorous demands of the automotive, oil & gas, mining, and construction sectors, Kaist Ceramic Sand is used to manufacture critical components including cylinder blocks, hydraulic valves, pumps, and impellers. By providing superior heat resistance and a smoother surface finish, it empowers foundries to achieve tighter tolerances and high-resolution part definitions across a wide range of metals, including stainless steel, ductile iron, and aluminum alloys.
| Main Chemical Components | Al₂O₃≥53%, SiO₂≤37%, Fe₂O₃<4%, TiO₂<3% | Grain Shape | Spherical (Angular Coefficient ≤1.1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Particle Size Range | 45μm - 2000μm (Customizable) | Refractoriness | ≥1800℃ |
| Bulk Density | 1.5-1.6 g/cm3 | Thermal Expansion (RT-1200℃) | 4.5-6.5x10-6/k |
| pH Value | 6.6-7.3 | Mineral Composition | Mullite + Corundum |
| L.O.I. / Acid Cost | L.O.I. <0.1% / Acid Cost <1 ml/50g | Color | Sand Color |
With a refractoriness of ≥1800℃, it withstands extreme temperatures without deformation, ideal for high-alloy steel casting.
Approximately 2-3 times lighter than zircon or fused ceramic sand, allowing for more molds per unit weight.
Spherical granules ensure high-resolution part definition and a smooth surface, reducing post-casting machining.
Fully compatible with ExOne and Voxeljet systems, providing a stable flow for high-precision 3D printed cores.
Minimizes dimensional distortion during heating, ensuring tight control over final part geometry.
Reduces waste and dust in the foundry environment with a high material reclamation value.
Uniform spherical granules ensure consistent flowability and packing density across all batches.
Easier handling reduces labor costs and power consumption during mold transfer and preparation.
Strict adherence to chemical purity prevents contamination in high-value automotive and aerospace parts.
Seamless integration with both traditional foundry processes and modern Additive Manufacturing.
Particle Size Distribution (PSD) can be customized to meet specific binder and casting requirements.
Proven performance in over 100 foundries worldwide across multiple metallic alloys.
| Performance Metric | Natural Sand / Zircon | Kaist Ceramic Sand |
|---|---|---|
| Mold Yield | Standard Baseline | Up to 2x More Molds |
| Surface Finish | Moderate / Rough | High-Resolution / Smooth |
| Weight / Handling | Heavy (High Power Cost) | Ultra-Light (Low Power Cost) |
| Thermal Stability | Variable Expansion | Low & Stable Expansion |
| Dust & Waste | High Environmental Impact | Low Dust / High Reclamation |
Unlike natural sand, Kaist is an artificial sintered mullite product. It is produced by firing spherical granules rather than crushing, resulting in a perfect spherical shape, higher refractoriness (≥1800℃), and significantly lower density, which improves mold resolution and reduces handling costs.
Yes, it is specifically optimized for Sand 3D Printing. Our partners successfully use it with leading platforms such as ExOne, Voxeljet, and KOCEL to create complex, high-precision cores and molds.
It is versatile and works excellently with carbon steels, low-alloy steels, stainless steels, gray iron, ductile iron, aluminum, and other metals requiring tight dimensional control and a high-quality surface finish.
Absolutely. The particle size distribution can be customized according to your specific technical requirements to ensure the best possible interaction with your chosen binder system.
Kaist sand is about half as light as zircon/chromite and one-third as light as some fused ceramic sands. This weight reduction translates to lower transport costs and allows foundries to produce roughly twice the number of molds per unit weight.
To achieve optimal results, the manufacturer recommends paying close attention to the amount of binder addition to ensure the structural integrity and strength of the mold or core.
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