Kinetics of graphite expansion during eutectic solidification of cast iron

The paper introduces a new linear displacement analysis (LDA)/thermal analysis (TA) experimental device for measuring linear displacement during the solidification of cast iron. The experimental device comprises a sand mould encased in a steel shell that prevents mould wall movements. Thus, only the linear displacement caused by the shrinkage or expansion of the metal is recorded by the transducers. Two quartz rods introduced directly at different heights into the liquid metal and connected to two transducers record the linear displacement during the liquid–solid transformation and subsequent cooling. Two thermocouples positioned at the same height with the quartz rods allow for the concomitant TA and LDA and thus for the direct correlation between expansion/contraction and the temperature change during solidification events such as graphite formation. The LDA device was used to study the differences in the solidification mechanisms of irons with different graphite morphologies (lamellar, compacted/vermicular and spheroidal) at carbon equivalent in the range of 3·7–4·4%. The analysis included the LDA and TA curves and full metallographic characterisation of the cast irons. In general, graphite expansion increased as the graphite shape changed from lamellar, to compacted and then to spheroidal. The most important process variables are the magnesium and carbon contents. Higher Mg residual and C in the iron produced more graphite expansion. Compacted graphite (CG) iron was particularly sensitive to the Mg residual. Indeed, the high Mg CG irons exhibited similar graphite expansion to that of spheroidal graphite (SG) iron, while the low Mg CG iron expansion was closer to that of the lamellar graphite (LG) iron. Graphite expansion increased for all data with the time interval over which graphite expansion occurred. It also increased with both carbon and carbon equivalent. The time for graphite expansion increased noticeably with the carbon content of the iron. It did not depend on the graphite shape. By combining TA and LDA, it was possible to plot the evolution of graphite expansion as a function of the fraction solid and thus to understand the kinetics of graphite expansion. The amount of expansion available at the end of solidification was quantified. Such data, when correlated with process variables, will be useful in decreasing microshrinkage and in producing riserless compacted and SG irons.     

Some paradoxical observations about spheroidal graphite degeneracy

Differential thermal analysis experiments have been performed on samples machined from Y2-blocks cast with different high-silicon spheroidal graphite irons. Depending on magnesium, silicon, cerium and antimony content, the as-cast microstructure showed various levels of chunky graphite in the central part of the blocks. In contrast, the microstructure of the materials after remelting and resolidification during differential thermal analysis consisted of lamellar or compacted graphite. The formation of chunky graphite in the as-cast microstructure is rationalized using an index or silicon equivalent that has been recently suggested. The differences in the microstructures after differential thermal analysis are discussed in terms of available free magnesium. Emphasis is finally put on the striking differences in characteristic size of the microstructures made of compacted graphite as compared to lamellar graphite and chunky graphite. This leads to tentative conclusions about growth of compacted and chunky graphite which would be worthy of further experimental investigations.     

Understanding compacted graphite iron solidification through interrupted solidification experiments

While the manufacture of compacted graphite (CG) iron castings has seen significant expansion over the recent years, the growth of CG during iron solidification is still not fully understood. In this work, effort was expanded to experimentally reveal the evolution of graphite shape during early solidification and its relationship to the solid fraction. To this purpose, interrupted solidification experiments were carried out on hypereutectic irons with three magnesium levels. The graphite shape factors were measured and analysed as a function of chemical composition and solid fraction. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out to establish the fraction of solid at which the transition from spheroidal graphite (SG) to CG occurs. It was confirmed that solidification started with the development of SG for all CG irons. The SG-to-CG transition was considered to occur when the SG developed a tail (tadpole graphite). The findings were integrated in previous knowledge to attempt an understanding of the solidification of CG iron.     

Thermal conductivity of cast iron-A review

This paper gives a brief introduction to the four research methods for the study on thermal conductivity of cast irons,including experimental measurement,statistical analysis,effective medium theory and numerical simulation.Recent studies on the thermal conductivity of various cast irons are reviewed through the influence of alloying elements,structural constituents,and temperature.The addition of alloying elements is the main reason that restricts the thermal conductivity of cast irons,especially spheroidal graphite cast iron.The connectivity of graphite has a significant effect on the thermal conductivity of flake and compacted graphite cast irons,semiquantitative and quantitative analysis of this factor is a key and difficult point in the study of thermal conductivity of cast irons.The thermal conductivities of different types of cast irons show varying degrees of dependence on temperature.This phenomenon is the combination of graphite and matrix,rather than just depending on graphite morphology.The study of the relationship between individual phase and temperature is the focus of future research.These summaries and discussions may provide reference and guidance for the future research and development of high thermal conductivity 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.     

Precipitation and evolution of nodular graphite during solidification process of ductile iron

The quantity and morphology of spheroidal graphite have an important effect on the properties of ductile iron,and the characteristics of spheroidal graphite are determined by the solidification process.The aim of this work is to explore the precipitation and evolution of graphite nodules in hypoeutectic,eutectic,and hypereutectic ductile irons by thermal analysis,liquid quenching and metallographic technique.Results show that hypoeutectic ductile iron has the longest solidification time and the lowest eutectic temperature;eutectic ductile iron has the shortest solidification time;hypereutectic ductile iron has the highest eutectic temperature.After solidification is completed,hypoeutectic ductile iron has the lowest nodule count,nodularity and graphite fraction;eutectic ductile iron has the highest nodule count,nodularity and the smallest nodule diameter;hypereutectic has the highest nodule diameter and graphite fraction.The nucleation and growth of graphite nodules in hypereutectic ductile iron starts before bulk eutectic crystallization stage,however,the precipitation and evolution of graphite nodules of hypoeutectic and eutectic ductile irons mainly occur in the eutectic crystallization stage.The graphite precipitated in eutectic crystallization of hypoeutectic,eutectic,and hypereutectic ductile irons,are 61%,68% and 43% of total graphite volume fraction,respectively.Simultaneously,there are plenty of austenite dendrites in hypoeutectic and hypereutectic ductile irons,which are prone to shrinkage defects.Therefore,the eutectic ductile iron has the smallest shrinkage tendency.     

Correlative thermal methodology for castability simulation of ductile iron in ADI production

The present paper investigates the simulation analysis of simultaneous mold filling and solidification of ductile iron casting in a permanent mold by virtue of its thermal characteristics. Thermal analysis was performed to determine the solidification behavior and nature of alloy of the melt during its solidification. It revealed the variation in the nature of alloy due to the variations in eutectic freezing and carbon equivalent of the melt. The obtained thermal parameters from the thermal analysis were further used for the casting simulation of the melt. The simulation results show a progressive solidification behavior of the casting. There is a significant decrease in the overall heat transfer coefficient with time during the solidification process. The simulation results were further verified experimentally. The experimental results show porosity defects at the top section of the casting. Two distinct zones (center and outer) were observed on the produced samples based on the average graphite nodule counts and average graphite nodule size.     

Effects of Casting Size on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Spheroidal and Compacted Graphite Cast Irons: Experimental Results and Comparison with International Standards

The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of casting size (10-210 mm) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of spheroidal (SGI) and compacted (CGI) graphite cast irons. A comparison of the experimental mechanical data with those specified by ISO standards is presented and discussed. The study highlighted that the microstructure and mechanical properties of SGI (also known as ductile or nodular cast iron) are more sensitive to casting size than CGI (also known as vermicular graphite cast irons). In particular, in both types of cast iron, hardness, yield strength and ultimate tensile strength decreased, with increasing casting size, by 27% in SGI and 17% in CGI. Elongation to failure showed, instead, an opposite trend, decreasing from 5 to 3% in CGI, while increasing from 5 to 11% in SGI. These results were related to different microstructures, the ferritic fraction being more sensitive to the casting size in SGI than CGI. Degeneration of spheroidal graphite was observed at casting size above 120 mm. The microstructural similarities between degenerated SGI and CGI suggested the proposal of a unified empirical constitutional law relating the most important microstructural parameters to the ultimate tensile strength. An outstanding result was also the finding that standard specifications underestimated the mechanical properties of both cast irons (in particular SGI) and, moreover, did not take into account their variation with casting size, at thicknesses over 60 mm.     

Effect of microstructure and mechanical properties on cutting force of different cast irons with similar tensile strength

Flake graphite iron,compacted graphite iron and spheroidal graphite iron with various tensile strengths were cast. They were selected and grouped according to roughly the same tensile strength,and then the main cutting force in each group was measured and compared. The microstructures of different cast irons were characterized. The relationship between the cutting force and microstructure was established. Results show that the graphite morphology in cast irons determines the strength. In order to obtain the same strength of the cast iron with sharply edged graphite,more or finer pearlite in the matrix is needed. Graphitic cast irons with high pearlite content and smaller pearlite interlamellar spacing have higher hardness. For the cast irons with different graphite morphologies,but almost the same tensile strength,the main cutting force is obviously different,along with the hardness. Harder cast irons have a greater cutting force,but the difference in cutting force is not proportional to hardness.     

灰口铸铁中石墨分布的优化

控制石墨的形态和分布是优化灰口铸铁性能的关键;石墨的形态取决于凝固过程中经过共晶温度区间时的冷却条件;通过选择合适的化学成分和金属液处理方法可以控制共晶凝固过程,获得分散的、均匀分布的A型石墨,从而得到性能优良的灰铁铸件。     

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.     

影响铸铁凝固组织的隐形因素(Ⅰ)

铁液在高于某一温度时，有利于Fe3C生成；在低于某一温度时，Fe3C不稳定，有自发分解为Fe和C的倾向。其临界温度受化学成分及其它因素的影响。铸铁的遗传性包含结构信息保留、成分遗传效应和物性特征保存。更换炉料、多种炉料搭配使用、进行针对性处理、熔液过热等是改善不良遗传性的途径。在同一温度条件下，石墨在熔液、奥氏体和铁素体中的溶解度都比渗碳体的溶解度低；奥氏体-石墨共晶和共析反应温度也都高于奥氏体-渗碳体的共晶和共析反应温度。硅有利于石墨的析出，使Fe—Fe3C介稳定系向Fe—C稳定系转变。所有石墨化元素均降低介稳定共晶温度，而提高稳定共晶温度，并使两者间距扩大。凝固相图反映铸铁在实际条件下的温度-成分-组织关系，其特征界限可依熔化工艺、熔液处理、冷却速度的改变而移动。商业铸铁实际上都在非平衡冷却条件下按共生区概念依凝固相图进行凝固。在过冷条件下，即使是共晶或过共晶成分铸铁，其组织中也可能存在亚共晶枝晶(奥氏体)。     

The Influence of Section Size and Base Sulphur Content on the Structure of Compacted Vermicular Graphite Cast Iron Produced by the Inmold Process

Abstract

The paper discusses the effect of certain variables involved in the production of compacted graphite cast iron by the Inmold Process,? using a 5% Mg-FeSi alloy, such as sulphur content of the base iron, copper content and section size. Experimental results show that acceptable compacted graphite irons can be produced in castings with section sizes ranging from 12.5 to 50 mm. The required residual Mg was a function of the base sulphur as follows: 0.013–0.021 % Mg for a base sulphur of 0.0083–0.0092% and 0.019–0.024% Mg for a base sulphur of 0.017–0.019%. When the base sulphur was 0.025–0.030%, it was impossible to produce compacted graphite microstructures. As expected, copper additions increased the amount of pearlite in the microstructure. For example, a 0.42% Cu content resulted in microstructures containing more than 50% pearlite in sections of 12.5 and 25 mm.     

冷却曲线识别与亚共晶Al-Si合金熔体状态测评

研究了B，Sr含量以及保温时间对Al-7Si合金熔体冷却曲线与凝固组织的影响。利用数字化测温技术、模式识别技术和数字图像分析技术分别进行了冷却曲线和凝固组织的测量与比较，基于大量试验结果积累的数据库，实现了Al-7Si合金熔体组织细化及变质效果的测评。研究结果显示，随着表征曲线相似程度的综合偏差值趋近于0，相应的晶粒尺寸及变质级别差值均向0收敛。冷却曲线的整体形状可以表征包括熔体细化及变质效果在内的Al-Si合金熔体状态。     

Modelling the effect of graphite morphology on the modulus of elasticity in cast irons

Abstract

Nine grades of pearlitic cast iron containing different graphite morphologies (from flake, compacted and spheroidal) have been studied. The parameters investigated include the graphite aspect ratio, nodularity, graphite size and modulus of elasticity. These parameters have been correlated and compared with different existing bound and model equations. It has been found that the modulus of elasticity of the graphite phase increases as the aspect ratio and nodularity of the graphite increases, i.e.flake graphite gives a lower modulus of elasticity than spheroidal graphite. The experimental values of the modulus of elasticity show good agreement to bound and model equations, although flake graphite cast irons show higher deviation from the modelled values. An equation for the correlation between the graphite modulus of elasticity and the nodularity is presented. Introducing this linear correlation into an existing model for the determination of the effective modulus of elasticity gives a continuous function, including all grades of cast irons, with a very good agreement with experimental values. The modulus of elasticity of cast irons can be accurately predicted from both bound and especially model equations, using the aspect ratio and nodularity of the contained graphite particles. The fit is improved by using a modulus of elasticity of the graphite phase that is based on the graphite morphology, considering that the modulus of elasticity of the graphite is different in the basal and prismatic planes.     

Modeling and Experimental Validation of Ductile Iron Castings During Solidification

Ductile irons are still important engineering materials due to their high strength and toughness, and relatively low price. In the foundries, ductile irons suffer from shrinkage porosity formation during solidification, which is detrimental to the mechanical properties. In order to minimize porosity formation, large risers are normally used in the design, which reduces porosity level sometimes but leads to a low yield. In order to better understand the shrinkage behavior of ductile iron during solidification, a micro model was developed to simulate the microstructure formation. The density change during solidification and the room temperature mechanical properties can be calculated based on the microstructure. The simulation has been compared with the experimental results and found to be in good agreement.     

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.     

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.     

Eutectic solidification mode of spheroidal graphite cast iron and graphitization

The shrinkage and chilling tendency of spheroidal graphite (abbreviated SG) cast iron is much greater than that of the flake graphite cast iron in spite of its higher amount of C and Si contents. Why? The main reason should be the difference in their graphitization during the eutectic solidification. In this paper, we discuss the difference in the solidification mechanism of both cast irons for solving these problems using unidirectional solidification and the cooling curves of the spheroidal graphite cast iron. The eutectic solidification rate of the SG cast iron is controlled by the diffusion of carbon through the austenite shell, and the final thickness is 1.4 times the radius of the SG, therefore, the reduction of the SG size, namely, the increase in the number, is the main solution of these problems.     

On the mechanism of the formation of widmanstätten graphite in flake graphite cast irons

The mechanism whereby Widmanstätten graphite develops during the solidification of flake graphite cast irons has been found to involve the preferential segregation and a complex interaction of specific elements at the surface of the graphite flake during solidification and the development of the plate like appendages in the solid austenite adjacent to the graphite flake. The literature has suggested that lead, calcium and hydrogen may be causal to the formation of Widmanstätten graphite, but has the interaction of these elements has not been effectively documented. While the formation of this degraded graphite is often attributed to the presence of a sufficient amount of lead alone, it has been observed that Widmanstätten graphite develops only in conjunction with a combination of factors operative at the graphite-austenite interface. Commercial flake graphite cast irons may exhibit Widmanstätten graphite as a function of lead and calcium content in the iron, moisture content in the molding media, solidification cooling rate and the rate of cooling immediately after solidification, etc. Lead contamination of cast irons was also observed to increase the chilling tendency of the iron. The detrimental effects of lead can be counteracted by the presence of rare earths in the iron, where rare earth elements react with lead to form stable, high melting point compounds.