Comparative Study on the In-Ladle Treatment Techniques for Nodulizing the Iron’s Graphite

The objectives of this research is to study and understand the nodulizing of ductile iron using in-ladle treatment process. Among the more common nodulizing agents is magnesium (Mg) which is conventionally added to the cast iron by combining suitable alloys of one or both of these elements with molten cast iron. Depending on the characteristics of each master alloy used as nodulizer, different treatment methods and techniques are used, among these, the most widely used being in-ladle, in-mould, and flow-through, the first being the most used. This research deals with the parameters, that affect the quality of ductile iron produced using in-ladle treatment process. The parameters involved are the percentage of magnesium–ferrosilicon (Fe–Si–Mg) used and the nodulizing technique. In-ladle treatment used consists of a deep pocket into the bottom of ladle, in which magnesium–ferrosilicon is placed into it together with a steel scrap barrier (steel sheets) or calcium carbide. This study, take into account, the degree of assimilation of magnesium, which shows the performance of the chosen process, depending on the nodulizer used and the temperature of the treatment.

RESEARCH OF THE RATE OF COOLING AND SELECTION OF THE MATERIAL FORM FOR THE MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CAST IRON CASTINGS

The structure and properties of cast iron castings depends not only on the chemical composition of molten cast iron and the technology of its smelting, but also on many other conditions such as cooling and crystallization of castings, especially on further solidification of castings in casting molds. The article presents the established dependences of the influence of the cooling rate of castings on the mechanical properties of the obtained parts, the investigated microstructures of experimental samples from the selected molding materials and it is established that the thermal conductivity of materials affects the structure of graphite in cast iron castings. Computer models of dependencies and regression equations of the processes are proposed.

Investigation of the Nodularisation Propensity of Calcined Cashew-Nut Shell-Ash in Cast-Iron Melt Graphite

Production of ductile iron using ferrosilicon-magnesium master alloy in melt treatment is currently fraught with challenges bothering on cost and availability. In this study the suitability of cashew nut shells ash (CNSA) as a viable alternative to magnesium master alloys employed in the treatment of molten cast iron for enhanced mechanical properties was studied. The carbonized CNSA used varied from 2-10 wt. % to treat different heat batches; CA1-CA5 containing varied amount of CNSA, CaO and FeSi in the molten cast iron. The cast samples were subjected to both mechanical characterisation (tensile, hardness and impact) and microstructural analysis using Instron electromechanical machine, impact tester and scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS). Results show that the 8 wt. % CNSA addition demonstrated the best mechanical properties comparable to ASTM A536 ferritic ductile cast iron. Specifically, the 8 wt. % CNSA cast samples exhibited 433 MPa tensile strength, 144HRC hardness and ductility of 14.7%. Contributions to improved mechanical properties may be attributed to the development of sufficient fractions of graphite nodules during melt treatment with CNSA. These outcomes are a boost both to the production of quality ductile irons and a cleaner environment. Keywords: Nodularisation, ductile-iron, cashew-nut, ferrosilicon-magnesium alloy, mechanical properties

Effect of Strontium Addition in Graphite Morphology and Nodularization of Hypoeutectic Cast Iron

Nodular graphite cast iron or known as spheroidal graphite cast iron structurally has a spherical graphite morphology with a matrix consisting of a ferrite-pearlite phase. In general, cast iron has a main alloy consisting of carbon and silicon where both elements have an influence on the potential of graphitization and castability. In this work, the influence of strontium (Sr) added to molten cast iron with a composition of 0, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08 wt% to graphite morphology were studied. The sample obtained will be carried out a characterization process by observing macro and microstructures using optical microscope equipped with image data processing software that displays graphite fraction, size, form and nodularity. Analysis showed that Sr addition increase in nodularization of graphite from 19.6 % to 31.5% at 0.08 wt% Sr addition.

Preliminary Tests of Cellular SiC/Iron Alloy Composite Produced by a Pressureless Infiltration Technique

Preliminary tests aimed at obtaining a cellular SiC/iron alloy composite with a spatial structure of mutually intersecting skeletons, using a porous ceramic preform have been conducted. The possibility of obtaining such a composite joint using a SiC material with an oxynitride bonding and grey cast iron with flake graphite has been confirmed. Porous ceramic preforms were made by pouring the gelling ceramic suspension over a foamed polymer base which was next fired. The obtained samples of materials were subjected to macroscopic and microscopic observations as well as investigations into the chemical composition in microareas. It was found that the minimum width of a channel in the preform, which in the case of pressureless infiltration enables molten cast iron penetration, ranges from 0.10 to 0.17 mm. It was also found that the ceramic material applied was characterized by good metal wettability. The ceramics/metal contact area always has a transition zone (when the channel width is big enough), where mixing of the components of both composite elements takes place.

The Formation of Gaseous Atmosphere in a Molten Cast Iron/Moulding Sand Contact System

Drops of molten cast iron were placed on moulding sand substrates. The composition of the forming gaseous atmosphere was examined. It was found that as a result of the cast iron contact with water vapour released from the sand, a significant amount of hydrogen was evolved. In all the examined moulding sands, including sands without carbon, a large amount of CO was formed. The source of carbon monoxide was carbon present in cast iron. In the case of bentonite moulding sand with seacoal and sand bonded with furan resin, in the composition of the gases, the trace amounts of hydrocarbons, i.e. benzene, toluene, styrene and naphthalene (BTX), appeared. As the formed studies indicate much higher content of BTX at lower temperature it was concluded that the hydrocarbons are unstable in contact with molten iron.