Foundries today use temporary molds made from silica sand with a resin bonding agent to hold a form until the metal is poured. With the aid of computer simulations, the molds are designed to produce good castings with minimal pattern iterations by calculating cooling and porosity. Stress analysis simulations are being developed using the current software, but the known mechanical properties for the sand mold are minimal and incomplete. This study measures the elastic modulus of bonded sand as a function of temperature to obtain baseline data for the model. Following ASTM standards, a three point bend test is used to measure the elastic modulus of chemically bonded sand as a function of temperature to better understand the complex nature of the mold as it undergoes heating and cooling. Multiple measurements of the elastic modulus of PUNB bonded silica sand are performed from room temperature to 500°C in a nitrogen atmosphere to capture the changes in the elastic modulus under heating. It is found that for an intermediate heating rate of 8°C/min, the elastic modulus decreases steeply from a room temperature value of about 3,600 MPa to 600 MPa at 125°C. Between 125°C and 250°C, the elastic modulus is relatively constant. Above 250°C, it increases to 1,200 MPa at 280°C and then decreases again to 800 MPa at 350°C. Above 350°C, the elastic modulus increases linearly with temperature until it reaches 2,200 MPa at 500°C. At approximately 500°C, the strength of the bonded sand vanishes. At a given temperature above 125°C, the elastic modulus can vary by more than a factor of two depending on the heating rate. Furthermore, the elastic modulus agrees with previous steady state temperature measurement literature when specimens are held at a constant temperature until the elastic modulus reach steady. It is also found that the addition of black iron oxide has no effect on the elastic modulus, whereas solvent removal before a test increases the stiffness of the bonded sand at temperatures below 150°C.

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene por objetivo demostrar la viabilidad del proyecto PROVOCATI en su búsqueda por desarrollar un modelo de negocio de "Tortas sin preparar" no explotado aún por las empresas del rubro de pastelería que, debido a la pandemia mundial del Covid-19, han tenido la necesidad de reinventarse y adaptar su modelo de negocio. A su vez, el proyecto busca convertir la forma de adquirir tortas, en una nueva e innovadora experiencia para el consumidor. Provocati, emprende con la atención de un mercado enfocado a personas que gustan de los dulces y los postres, pero a que, a la vez, buscan con ello compartir también un "dulce momento" en familia sacando provecho a la mayor cantidad de tiempo que sus miembros deben actualmente pasar en casa y protegiéndolos a su vez de la exposición al contagio del virus. Para validar la propuesta de negocio, analizaremos el mercado objetivo mediante una investigación cualitativa a través de la metodología de entrevistas a profundidad. Además, se medirá la intención de compra del consumidor a través del uso de herramientas como landing page y redes sociales como Facebook a fin de relacionarlas con las hipótesis y a su vez ratificar nuestra propuesta de valor. / The purpose of the present study is to determine the viability of PROVOCATI project in its quest to develop a business model of "Unprepared cakes" not yet exploited by companies in the pastry industry that, due to the global outbreak of Covid-19, have had the need to reinvent themselves and adapt their business model. The project seeks to convert the way of acquiring cakes, into a new and innovative experience for the consumer. PROVOCATI company assists a market focused on people who like sweets and desserts, but who, at the same time, also seek to share a "sweet moment" with the family, taking advantage of the greater amount of time that its members must currently spend at home and protecting them at the same time from exposure of getting infected with the virus. To validate the business proposal, we will analyze the target market with qualitative research through in-depth interview methodology. In addition, the consumer's purchase intention will be measured through the use of tools such as landing pages and social networks such as Facebook in order to relate them to the hypotheses and ratify our value proposition. / Trabajo de investigación