Case Studies
Provides downloadable case study examples of foundry sand in a variety of applications. US EPA provided support for the creation of a number of case studies that are archived in the Metalcasting library. Additional links to case studies on the FHWA, USEPA, and RMRC websites are provided. Foundries and end users with other written case studies are encouraged to send them to AFS-FIRST for posting. Please CONTACT US to do so.
Metalcasting Tools & Resources
AFS-FIRST is supported by the domestic metalcasting industry, which has created a number of resources to assist in the recycling and reuse of foundry sands. This section provides links to a number of such resources, many of which are also referenced in other website sections.
FHWA Tools & Resources
The most common applications for foundry sands are in geotechnical and pavement applications as substitute granular materials. The Federal Highway Administration, an arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has an official policy to encourage the use of recycled materials in highway applications. FHWA has a number of tools & resources on its website.
RMRC Tools & Resources
The Recycled Materials Resource Center is the Federally funded transportation center tasked with supporting the use of recycled and reused materials in highway applications. RMRC has created a Foundry Sand Portal that provides access to searchable databases of technical references and specifications, webinars with testing and construction guidance, and other resources designed for the engineering community.
US EPA Tools & Resources
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency views sustainable materials management as an important strategy for saving energy and reducing environmental impacts. The safe reuse and recycling of non-hazardous industrial materials is a part of that strategy. EPA has a number of tools and resources to promote and encourage the recycling of ferrous and aluminum foundry sands, as well as other industrial materials. Links are provided, as well as contact information for regional office beneficial use coordinators.
Regulatory Resources
The vast majority of foundry sands are considered non-hazardous solid wastes, falling under Subtitle D of RCRA. Individual states have regulatory authority over Subtitle D “solid wastes,” even where the materials are comparable in physical and chemical nature to non-regulated materials. This section provides links to a number of references that discuss regulatory approaches for foundry sands.
About Metalcasting
Metalcasting is a process in which molten metal is poured into a mold (often of complex geometry) to produce a usable good or component. A wide variety of casting processes (utilizing molds made of sand, metal dies and ceramics) and metal choices can be combined to serve unique geometric and economic objectives for the final product. While all metals can be cast, the most predominant are iron, aluminum, steel and copper-base alloys.
State and International Contacts
Where the concentration of metalcasting facilities is a formidable part of the regional manufacturing base, groups have been created to address industry concerns on current and potential legislation, as well as various business regulations, through lobbying and other advocate efforts. Typically they are the regional voice of the industry in the political arena, many times, working with local AFS Chapters.