Influence of duplex melting process on melt quality and solidification of grey cast iron

Abstract

The quality of molten iron produced by two melting processes, the medium frequency induction furnace melting process and the shortcut duplex melting process with blast and medium frequency induction furnaces, has been studied comparatively. The shortcut melting process contributes to a higher undercooling tendency of base iron, and the extent of this tendency depends on other processing parameters such as ratio of charges, fluctuation in composition, superheating temperature and holding time, etc. When the shortcut melting process is used in the production of grey cast iron, there are no essential differences, with subsequent proper inoculation, in the microstructure and mechanical properties of castings compared with the conventional medium frequency induction melting process. Inoculation is a very effective method to alleviate and/or eliminate the negative effect when the shortcut melting process is used.