ABSTRACT
Core binding properties of pulverised strands of cissus populnea plant were evaluated with the view to adding to the list of core binders available locally. The strands of cissus populnea were extracted from the stem of the plant, dried and milled to obtain a fine powder that was sieved using sieve aperture of +200. Chemical analysis of the pulverised strands showed that it had 6.1% fatty acids (lipids). Further analysis of the lipids showed that the pulverized strands had 61.76% Freidelan-3-one by weight of the lipids. Cores were produced using this powder as binder. The cores were baked at temperatures of 160, 180 and 2000C for a period of 1 to 2hours respectively. Baking time was varied at 30 minutes intervals. The maximum baked tensile strength of 1380KN/m2 was developed at a binder content level of 7% at a baking time of 1.5hrs and baking temperature of 1600C. A mathematical model was used to ascertain the reliability of the experimental data. This model produced a coefficient of +0.99 which quite confirms the reliability of the process. Trial casting of grey cast iron were made utilizing cores made with above composition while a mix containing 5% binder, 7% water, 0.5% cassava starch and 87.5% sand, baking time of 1.5hours and baking temperature of 1600C was used to make molds and cores for the casting of aluminium alloys. The shake out as well as collapsibility of the mould and cores was good. This suggests that cores made using this binder are suitable for casting of both ferrous and non ferrous metals.