Influence of alloying additions on microstructure and thermal properties in compact graphite irons

Abstract

Nineteen compacted graphite cast irons were investigated to determine how alloying additions affect the thermal transport properties and microstructure. All melts were based on one chemical composition and alloying elements were added to obtain melts with variation in magnesium, silicon, carbon, copper, tin, chromium and molybdenum. Increasing amounts of magnesium resulted in a further compaction of the graphite particles, reducing the thermal conductivity. Large amounts of silicon resulted in a fully ferritic metal matrix. Silicon also formed solid solution with iron which had a deteriorating effect on the thermal conductivity, i.e. the larger amount of silicon the lower the thermal conductivity. Copper and tin promoted formation of pearlite that had worse thermal properties compared to ferrite. Increasing amount of ferrite generally had a positive influence of the thermal conductivity. Chromium and molybdenum were carbide forming elements and carbides had a negative influence on the thermal conductivity.     

Phase diagram of the Fe-C-V-Si system and alloys based on it

The problems of obtaining globular graphite in the structure of alloyed cast irons have been investigated insufficiently thoroughly although they have great practical importance. This is associated with the fact that many alloying elements are graphite deglobularizers. The alloying elements in the composition of vanadium cast irons (vanadium and copper) hamper graphite spheroidizing. In order to neutralize their deglobularizing action the modifier should contain remodifying elements.Translated from Metallovedenie i Termicheskaya Obrabotka Metallov, No. 2, pp. 32 – 35, February, 1996.     

Microstructure and wear properties of low-alloy phosphoric gray cast irons

The effects of various alloying elements on the microstructure and wear properties of phosphoric gray cast irons were examined. The wear properties of gray cast irons were examined with wear tests in the lubricated condition at various final loads and sliding speeds. It is found that the microstructure and the morphology and size of flaky graphite do not change much with a small addition of alloying elements such as V, Nb, Mo and Cr. However, the wear resistance of phosphoric gray cast iron is found to increase significantly with an increasing amount of alloying element. For a given amount of alloying element, it is found that V and Nb are very effective, whereas Mo and Cr are less effective in increasing the wear resistance of phosphoric gray cast iron. The increase in the hardness of steadite caused by the segregation of carbide-forming elements is found to be responsible for the excellent wear resistance of low-alloy phosphoric gray cast irons.     

Effects of transition from lamellar to compacted graphite on thermal conductivity of cast iron

Abstract

Different levels of magnesium were added to a standard grey iron alloy in order to obtain a range of graphite morphologies from lamellar to compacted graphite. The thermal conductivity/diffusivity of samples, solidified at different cooling rates, was investigated by means of the laser flash technique. There is a significant decrease in the thermal conductivity as the morphology transits from lamellar to compacted graphite. The thermal conductivity of grey iron decreases considerably at elevated temperatures, whereas the thermal conductivity of compacted graphite iron is less sensitive to changes in temperature. At increased nodularities, compacted graphite irons exhibit a maximum thermal conductivity at ～400°C. The influence from the cooling conditions on the thermal conductivity decreases as the morphology alters from lamellar graphite to compacted graphite. The effective thermal conductivity of cast iron is modelled by means of existing models for composites.     

V、Ti合金化对玻璃模具材料抗氧化及耐热疲劳性的影响

通过测试不同V/Ti比条件下蠕墨铸铁玻璃模具材料的抗氧化及热疲劳性能,研究了蠕墨铸铁的钒、钛合金化工艺,并探讨了影响这些性能的因素.结果表明,在V、Ti变化范围内,V/Ti比为1.63时蠕墨铸铁具有较均匀的铁素体基体+蠕虫状石墨组织,以及良好的热物性.     

On the thermal conductivity of CGI and SGI cast irons

The thermal conductivity of Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) and spheroidal graphite iron (SGI) was established in the temperature range from room temperature up to 500 °C using the experimental thermal diffusivity, density and specific heat values. The influence of nodularity, graphite amount, silicon content and temperature on the thermal conductivity of fully ferritic high-silicon cast irons was investigated. It was found that the CGI materials showed higher thermal conductivity than the SGI materials. The thermal conductivity tended to increase with increasing temperature until it reached a maximum followed by a subsequent decrease as temperature was increased up to 500 °C. Conventional models were applied to estimate thermal conductivity and the predictive accuracy of each model was evaluated. The thermal conductivity could be estimated by the Helsing model. The Maxwell model, Bruggeman model and Hashin–Shtrikman model were also in fair agreement using the thermal conductivity value of graphite parallel to the basal planes in graphite.     

生长条件对灰口铸铁共晶凝固过程石墨形态的作用

灰铸铁、蠕铁、球铁被统称为灰口铸铁,在现代工业中应用广泛.在主要成分相近情况下,由于微量元素等条件的不同引起石墨生长形态各异,从而同属灰口铸铁的三类铸铁性能迥异.懂得其基本规律及相关原理,有益于铸造工程技术人员在灰铁、蠕铁、球铁的生产实际中理性而有效地控制产品质量.本文基于灰口铸铁的奥氏体-石墨共晶凝固方式,从基本概念及原理、G形成过程、实际组织观察与分析的全新视角,主要针对灰铁和球铁概述了石墨形态的形成规律和机理.文中诸多图片等实例是以往国内教科书及专业书籍中未见的,文章内容也体现了对相关现象描述及观点上新的发展,有助于读者对该方面有关问题获得更为清晰的理解和认识.     

Effect of alloying elements on the structure and properties of iron with vermicular graphite

The effect of alloying elements (chromium, copper, and aluminum) on the processes of structure formation in cast iron with vermicular graphite is studied. The degree of graphitization of the iron is analyzed as a function of the kind and content of the alloying elements. The mechanical properties of irons alloyed with chromium, copper, and aluminum are determined. __________ Translated from Metallovedenie i Termicheskaya Obrabotka Metallov, No. 6, pp. 41–43, June, 2006.     

石墨形态及合金元素对铸铁抗热疲劳性能的影响

对石墨形态、合金元素等对铸铁抗热疲劳性能的影响进行了研究。加入提高抗氧化性的合金元素可显著提高铸铁的抗热疲劳性能。从首次产生裂纹的循环次数、裂纹扩展速度及变形量等综合考虑,蠕铁的抗热疲劳性能最好。     

Modelling of compacted graphite cast iron solidification-Discussion of microstructure parameters

A melt maintained for hours in a press pour unit allowed the following changes over time from spheroidal graphite to compacted graphite iron by casting thermal cups at regular time intervals.This provided extensive experimental information for checking the possibility of simulating solidification of compacted graphite irons by means of a microstructure modelling approach.During solidification,compacted graphite develops very much as lamellar graphite but with much less branching.On this basis,a simulation of the thermal analysis records was developed which considers solidification proceeding in a pseudo binary Fe-C system.The simulated curves were compared with the experimental ones obtained from three representative alloys that cover the whole microstructure change during the holding of the melt.The most relevant result is that the parameter describing branching capability of graphite is the most important for reproducing the minimum eutectic temperature and the recalescence which are so characteristic of the solidification of compacted graphite cast irons.     

高强度D型石墨铸铁的研究进展

综述了灰铸铁中产生D型石墨的原因，D型石墨对灰铸铁性能的影响以及D型石墨灰铸铁的应用。国内外的研究表明：深过冷，在灰铸铁中加入提高过冷度的合金元素（钛，铝，锑，碲，稀土元素等）或者二者的结合都会促进生成D型石墨；D型石墨灰铸铁具有较高的强度，较好的抗氧化性，抗生长性，抗热疲劳性和耐磨性；D型石墨灰铸铁已经广泛用于生产玻璃模具，压缩机缸体，压缩机曲轴等铸件。笔者还介绍了采用钒钛生铁生产的D型石墨合金铸铁凸轮轴的性能特点及其应用情况。     

耐海水腐蚀铸铁的抗氧化性

探讨HD型铸铁（一种耐海水腐蚀低合金铸铁）高温氧化时能否形成类似保护膜的研究结果表明,HD铸铁在高温下形成的氧化膜与一般铸铁无本质区别,其抗氧化性主要与铸铁中Cr、Al、Si含量有关。     

The transition from stable to metastable system and its relation with the ferrite halo extension in SG cast irons

Microsegregations of alloying elements developed during solidification are known to affect solid state transformations in spheroidal graphite cast irons. However, no clear relation between them and the presence and extension of ferrite halos has been established until now. The aim of the present work is to expose how the microsegregations of Si, Mn and Cu influence in the transition from stable to metastable system during solid state transformations and how the extension of the ferrite halo is affected accordingly. The study was carried out on samples cast at a cooling rate of 20 K/min, which allowed the diffusion of carbon under equilibrium conditions.     

微合金梯度石墨铸铁玻璃模具材料研究

本文通过控制铸铁生产中的合金元素量、浇注温度、孕育剂量,得到在模具壁厚方向形成三级梯度石墨灰铸铁.利用SEM观察金相试样评价石墨形态、尺寸、分布;测试试样各梯度石墨区域的布氏硬度值评价铸铁的力学性能;观察热疲劳试样的疲劳裂纹的扩展评价试样的热力学性能.试验结果发现合金元素量V:0.11%～0.15%、Ti:0.15%～...     

Graphite nucleation control in grey cast iron

Abstract

A research programme has been undertaken to achieve a more detailed understanding of graphite nucleation control in grey cast irons, at different sulphur (0˙02–0˙1%), residual aluminium (0˙001–0˙010%) and zirconium (0˙001–0˙015%) levels in iron melts. It was found that three groups of elements are important to sustain a three stage model for the nucleation of graphite in grey irons:

(i) strong deoxidising elements (Al, Zr) to promote early formed very small microinclusions, oxide based, which will act as nucleation sites for later formed complex (Mn,X)S compounds

(ii) Mn and S to sustain MnS type sulphide formation

(iii) inoculating elements (Ca, Sr, etc.) which act in the first stage or/and in the second one of graphite formation, to improve the capability of (Mn,X)S compounds to nucleate graphite.

It was confirmed that 0˙07%S level is beneficial for graphite nucleation in grey irons with a lower incidence of carbides and undercooled graphite, compared to 0˙023%S cast irons. Low residual Al level (0˙001–0˙003%) results in higher chill and more undercooled graphite and lower eutectic cell count, in inoculated irons. A 0˙007–0˙010%Al content in the melt is important to sustain type A graphite nucleation and reduced chill. Not only inoculation but also the preconditioning (Al or/and Zr) of the base iron has a strong beneficial effect on the solidification pattern of cast irons. Both Al and Zr sustain the type A graphite formation with a lower degree of undercooling and free carbides. These elements were associated in a complex alloy (FeSi based), very efficient in preconditioning of grey irons for thin wall castings, at a low addition rate.     

Effect of Cu,Mn and Sn on pearlite growth kinetics in as-cast ductile irons

In a previously published work, pearlite growth in cast irons was investigated and it was claimed that growth kinetics of pearlite in nodular cast iron does not depend on alloying elements and that only the start temperature for the transformation is modified. Since then, the authors have investigated the effect of copper at low level of manganese and the combined effect of copper and tin at intermediate manganese contents. In the first case, thermal records confirmed that copper decreases the formation temperature for both ferrite and pearlite. In the second work, an optimised content for tin, manganese and copper was found so as to improve mechanical properties while keeping fully pearlitic structures. The thermal records obtained during this latter study are here used to estimate the pearlite growth kinetics and the effect of copper and tin on it. Tin has been shown to reduce pearlite undercooling (increase of start transformation temperature) and thus to favour the formation of this constituent.     

Saturated Fractional Design of Experiments: Toughness and Graphite Phase Optimizing in Nihard Cast Irons

The aim of the present research is to identify the manufacturing factors that exert an active influence on the graphite phase formation in mottled Nihard cast irons constituting the roll shells of duplex work rolls processed by the double pour method during centrifugal casting. The studied rolls, referred to as alloy indefinite chill, were processed at industrial scale and had a core consisting of spheroidal graphite cast iron with a matrix of ferrite and pearlite. An additional aim of this study was to evaluate the effect and extent of these factors on the dynamic toughness response of the roll shell material. The research methodology employed consisted of the application of a saturated design of experiments with seven factors, eight experiments, and resolution III. The measured responses for graphite were: the volume fraction, count number per unit area, and morphology, determined by quantitative metallography. Impact testing was characterized by Charpy tests on U-notched specimens at 350 °C. The manufacturing factors studied were: the final weight percent of silicon, sulfur, and manganese; the liquidus and the casting temperatures; and, finally, inoculation with SiCaMn and A-type FeSi (with Zr). The statistical experimental method conducted allowed us to confirm the significance of factors such as the %Si, the liquidus temperature and inoculation with SiCaMn on the precipitation of graphite in a white cast iron such as the Nihard irons used in the roll shell, in agreement with the precipitation of graphite in gray cast irons widely reported in the literature. It was also shown that the development of lamellar graphite shapes were favored by an increase in the total equivalent carbon and also by the increase in the amount of A-type FeSi added. Furthermore, the impact toughness was shown to improve with the increase in both the %Si and the liquidus temperature.     

Role of Al, Ti, and Zr in Gray Iron Preconditioning/Inoculation

A research was done to investigate the effect of strong deoxidizing elements, such as Al, Zr, and Ti, in gray irons in laboratory experiments. The conclusions drawn were based mainly on thermal analysis, chill (carbides) sensitivity, graphite characteristics, and SEM analysis. Al and Zr have visible beneficial effects in preconditioning of gray irons, by favoring lower undercooling during solidification. Ti has an inconclusive role, with limited influence, but promotes undercooled graphite formation. Complex (Mn,X)S compounds, nucleated on the previously formed small oxide-based sites, were found as the major nucleation sites for graphite in gray irons, with specific distribution of Al, Ti, and Zr. Al,Zr-FeSi preconditioning of electrically melted and Sr-FeSi inoculated gray irons avoided type D graphite and carbides in 3 mm sections castings.     

An experimental study of metastable graphitization of cast irons

It is known that the structure of cast irons and steels can contain both cementite and graphite. In unalloyed steels and cast irons cementite is a metastable phase and can be graphitized in the process of prolonged annealing, which is used in the production of malleable cast irons and graphitized steels. Alloying with carbide-forming elements (Cr, Mn, V, etc.) in various amounts can stabilize cementite, providing stably white or stably mottled cast irons. A recently discovered phenomenon connected with formation of metastable graphite in the structure of alloy cast irons and steels, which undergoes carbidization in prolonged annealing, has been called metastable graphitization and is much less known. Translated from Metallovedenie i Termicheskaya Obrabotka Metallov, No. 3, pp. 25–28, March, 1998.     

Calculating the effective thermal conductivity of gray cast iron by using an interconnected graphite model

A new theoretical model of gray cast iron taking into account a locally interconnected structure of flake graphite was designed, and the corresponding effective thermal conductivity was calculated using the thermal resistance network method. The calculated results are obviously higher than that of the effective medium approximation assuming that graphite is distributed in isolation. It is suggested that the interconnected structure significantly enhances the overall thermal conductivity. Moreover, it is shown that high anisotropy of graphite thermal conductivity, high volume fraction of graphite, and small aspect ratio of flake graphite will cause the connectivity effects of graphite to more obviously improve the overall thermal conductivity. Higher graphite volume fraction, lower aspect ratio and higher matrix thermal conductivity are beneficial to obtain a high thermal conductivity gray cast iron. This work can provide guidance and reference for the development of high thermal conductivity gray cast iron and the design of high thermal conductivity composites with similar locally interconnected structures.