Inoculated Slightly Hypereutectic Gray Cast Irons

The current experimental investigation in this article was designed to characterize the structure of mold (M) and ladle (L) inoculated, low-S (0.025 wt.% S), low-Al (0.003 wt.% Al), slightly hypereutectic (CE = 4.4-4.5 wt.%) electric melted gray irons, typical for high performance thin-wall castings. It describes the effect of a Ca, Al, Zr-FeSi inoculant addition of 0-0.25 wt.% on structure characteristics, and compares to similar treatments with hypoeutectic irons (3.5-3.6 wt.% CE, 0.025 wt.% S, and 0.003 wt.% Al). A complex structure including primary graphite, austenite dendrites, and eutectic cells is obtained in hypereutectic irons, as the result of nonequilibrium solidification following the concept of a coexisting region. Dendrites appear to be distributed between eutectic cells at higher eutectic undercooling, while in inoculated irons and for lower undercooling, the eutectic cells are “reinforced” by eutectic austenite dendrites. A Zr, Ca, Al-FeSi alloy appears to be an effective inoculant in low S, low Al, gray cast irons, especially for a late inoculation technique, with beneficial effects on both graphite and austenite phases. First, inoculation influenced the nucleation of graphite/eutectic cell, and then their characteristics. A further role of these active elements directly contributed to form nucleation sites for austenite, as complex (Mn,X)S particles.     

Inoculation and its effect on primary solidification structure of hypoeutectic grey cast iron

Abstract

The solidification of grey cast iron is controlled by the addition of inoculants. This is done in order to provide nucleation sites and hence facilitate the formation of eutectic cells and decrease the degree of undercooling. The number of eutectic cells and the graphite morphology affect the final properties of the casting. Preceding the nucleation of graphite and the eutectic cells is the nucleation of the primary austenite. It was found that the addition of inoculants also influences the primary solidification. The largest effect on the primary dendrites is obtained by inoculation using pure iron powder. It was also shown how the columnar to equiaxed transition (CET) depends on the number of equiaxed dendrites per unit volume. In addition, the primary structure was found to influence the eutectic solidification. The relationship between the secondary dendrite arm spacing and the eutectic cell size was found to correlate well with the work of others.     

热分析在Fe-B合金深过冷凝固过程中的应用

采用熔融玻璃净化与循环过热相结合的深过冷技术,研究了Fe-B共晶合金熔体的深过冷及超过冷凝固组织与冷却曲线的关系.凝固过程的热分析表明,合金熔体冷却曲线的变化体现了熔体的过冷程度,即通过对冷却曲线特征参量的分析能够直接确定深过冷/超过冷凝固组织的获得,而且过冷度与初生相的形核、分布、晶粒大小及共晶组织形貌等凝固特征的对应关系也能够通过冷却曲线反映出来.     

Influence of fading on characteristics of thermal analysis curve of compacted graphite iron

In general,during the production of compacted graphite iron (CGI),the active residual magnesium reduces and the effect of inoculation fades after magnesium treatment.In this paper,characteristics of the thermal analysis curve of CGI are compared with those of ductile iron and grey cast iron.The fading effect on the compacted graphite percentage and thermal analysis curve were also studied.Results indicate that the undercooling of CGI is as low as that of ductile iron,but CGI shows evident recalescence.In fading process,the magnesium element acts with oxygen.For a decrease in magnesium content,both the compacted graphite percentage and the austenitic liquidus temperature increase.The temperature of eutectic undercooling (TEu) decreases before the flake graphite appears.After that,TEu increases quickly,up to as high as 20 ℃,and then gradually decreases.The evolution of recalescence degree is opposite to that of TEU.     

RECALESCENCES AND SOLIDIFICATION MICROSTRUCTURE OF HIGHLY UNDERCOOLED Ni_(68)B_(21)Si_(11) ALLOY

One,two and three recalescence events in the solidification of highly undercooledNi_68B_21Si_11 alloy melt and the conditions of undercooling together with the effect onsolidification morphologies were revealed.The solidification morphologies of the undercooledalloy may be examined in the light of two aspects,i.e,growth of either Ni_3B,Ni_6Si_2B andNi_2B ternary eutectic or dendrite cluster with Ni_3B as leading phase.When the degree ofundercooling below 200 or over 310 K,the alloy solidifies to accompany one recalescence only,and the crystals grow according to the first mode of solidification.While undercooling at othertemperatures,two or three events of recalescence may occur and the dendrite cluster may so-lidify.     

Ag-Cu/Co-Sn共晶合金深过冷快速凝固反常共晶的形成研究

利用熔融玻璃净化循环过热的方法进行了Ag-Cu/Co-Sn共晶合金的深过冷快速凝固实验,并系统研究了熔体过冷度和微量Nb添加对反常共晶形成的影响。结果表明,快速凝固过程中共晶枝晶内部首先重熔形成反常共晶,随着过冷度的增大,共晶相的形貌从蠕虫状转变为球形颗粒,被重熔形成的固相颗粒将作为剩余液相形核生长的基底,Ag-Cu共晶中共晶两相形核具有非互惠性。Co-Sn共晶合金中添加Nb元素后样品内部反常共晶形成的临界过冷度由23 K降低至15 K,而表面组织中过冷度从45 K降低至30 K。由于样品表面与坩埚壁接触有利于结晶潜热消散,反常共晶形成的临界过冷度较高。Ag-Cu共晶合金温度再辉曲线上慢速凝固阶段持续的时间较Co-Sn共晶合金要长。     

铸态QT600-10的生产工艺

介绍了汽车铸件的结构以及技术要求,根据技术要求将球化处理后的化学成分控制在:w(C)3.6%~3.8%,w(Si)2.6%~2.9%,w(Mn)0.25%~0.45,w(P)≤0.030%,w(S)≤0.015%,w(Mg残)0.03%~0.04%,w(RE残)0.01%~0.02%,采用5 t中频炉熔炼,原铁液出炉温度控制在1 480~1 520℃,采用冲入法进行球化处理,选用低RE的FeSiMg6RE2球化剂,粒度为10~25mm,加入量为每包铁液量的1.1%;采用粒度为3~8 mm的CaBa复合孕育剂进行一次孕育,浇注时使用粒度为0.3~1 mm的高CaBa复合孕育剂进行二次随流孕育。最终生产铸件的球化等级控制在2~3级,石墨球大小6级,抗拉强度不低于600MPa,伸长率不低于10%,且珠光体体积分数及力学性能波动均在10%以内。     

Improving chill control in iron powder treated slightly hypereutectic grey cast irons

Recent studies revealed that in eutectic to slightly hypereutectic grey irons (CE = 4.3%-4.5%) the presence of austenite dendrites provides an opportunity to improve the cast iron properties, as a high number of eutectic cells are "reinforced" by austenite dendrites. An iron powder addition proved to be important by promoting dendritic austenite in hypereutectic irons, but was accompanied by adverse effect on the characteristics of potential nuclei for graphite. The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the solidification pattern of these irons. Chill wedges with different cooling moduli (CM = 0.11 - 0.43 cm) were poured in resin bonded sand and metal moulds.Relative clear / mottled / total chill measurement criteria were applied. Iron powder additions led to a higher chill tendency, while single inoculation showed the strongest graphitizing effect. The various double treatments show an intermediate position, but the inoculant added after iron powder appears to be the most effective in reducing base iron chill tendency, for all cooling moduli and chill evaluation parameters. This performance reflects the improved properties of (Mn,X)S polygonal compounds as nucleation sites for graphite, especially in resin bonded sand mould castings. Both austenite and graphite nucleation benefit from a double addition of iron powder + inoculant,with positive effect on the final structure and chill tendency.     

Cast Iron Inoculation Enhanced by Supplementary Oxy-sulfides Forming Elements

Inoculation is one of the most important metallurgical treatments applied to the molten cast iron immediately prior to casting, to promote solidification without excessive eutectic undercooling, which favors carbides formation usually with undesirable graphite morphologies. The paper focused on the separate addition of an inoculant enhancer alloy [S, O, oxy-sulfides forming elements] with a conventional Ca-FeSi alloy, in the production of gray and ductile cast irons. Carbides formation tendency decreased with improved graphite characteristics as an effect of the [Ca-FeSi + Enhancer] inoculation combination, when compared to other Ca/Ca, Ba/Ca, RE-FeSi alloy treatments. Adding an inoculant enhancer greatly enhances inoculation, lowers inoculant consumption up to 50% or more and avoids the need to use more costly inoculants, such as a rare earth bearing alloy. The Inoculation Specific Factor [ISF] was developed as a means to more realistically measure inoculant treatment efficiency. It compares the ratio between the improved characteristic level and total inoculant consumption for this effect. Addition of any of the commercial inoculants plus the inoculant enhancer offered outstanding inoculation power [increased ISF] even at higher solidification cooling rates, even though the total enhancer addition was at a small fraction of the amount of commercial inoculant used.     

铁神一号净化剂对灰铸铁组织和力学性能的影响

利用中频感应电炉熔炼灰铸铁铁液，水玻璃砂造型，浇注铸造阶梯试样、φ30mm试棒以及热分析试样，研究了净化剂对其结晶过冷度、组织和力学性能的影响。试验结果表明，单独加入净化剂0．6％可以增加过冷倾向，细化石墨，降低断面敏感性；可以提高灰铸铁的抗拉强度和冶金质量指标；同时加入净化剂0．6％和硅钡孕育剂0．7％对灰铸铁进行复合孕育，明显增加共晶团数量至441个/cm^2，可以获得细小A型石墨，显著提高灰铸铁的力学性能σb至282MPa。     

Fourier Thermal Analysis of the Eutectic Formed in Pb-Sn Alloys

The effect of the presence of two different primary phases on the microstructural characteristics and solidification kinetics of Pb-Sn eutectic was analyzed using Fourier thermal analysis method (FTA) and microstructural characterization. Three Pb-Sn alloys, a hypoeutectic, an eutectic, and a hypereutectic alloy, were melted in an electric furnace under an argon atmosphere and poured into sand molds. Cooling curves were obtained and numerically processed using FTA. Microstructural observations of the probes indicate a lamellar morphology for the eutectic microconstituent of the hypereutectic alloy; the eutectic alloy shows the presence of both lamellar and anomalous eutectic and the hypoeutectic alloy shows only the presence of anomalous eutectic. FTA results indicate that in the case of the probes showing the presence of anomalous eutectic, there is a primary eutectic formed during recalescence at high undercooling and a secondary eutectic yielded at low undercooling at the eutectic plateau temperature. This result shows that the cause behind the observed differences in the eutectic morphologies of the experimental alloys lies on the nucleating ability of the primary phase available as a potential substrate for nucleation of the eutectic microconstituent.     

Columnar to equiaxed transition of eutectic in hypoeutectic aluminium–silicon alloys

Directional solidification of unmodified and strontium modified binary, high-purity, aluminium–7 wt% silicon and commercial A356 alloys has been carried out to investigate the mechanism of eutectic solidification. The microstructure of the eutectic growth interface was investigated with optical microscopy and Electron Backscattering Diffraction (EBSD). In the commercial alloys, the eutectic solidification interface extends in the growth direction and creates a eutectic mushy zone. A planar eutectic growth front is observed in the high-purity alloys. The eutectic aluminium has mainly the same crystallographic orientation as the dendrites in the unmodified alloys and the strontium modified high-purity alloy. A more complex eutectic grain structure is found in the strontium modified commercial alloy. A mechanism involving constitutional undercooling and a columnar to equiaxed transition explains the differences between pure and commercial alloys. It is probably caused by the segregation of iron and magnesium and the activation of nucleants in the commercial alloy.     

多次孕育处理在球墨铸铁管离心铸造中的应用

在离心铸造球墨铸铁管生产中，为防止共晶渗碳体析出，改善球化，增加石墨球数，提高力学性能，采用了三次孕育：（1）包内孕育；（2）浇注时随流孕育；（3）型内孕育。取得了较好的孕育效果。     

深过冷Ni-21.4%Si共晶合金的凝固特性研究

对熔融玻璃净化后深过冷Ni-21.4%Si（原子分数,下同）共晶合金的凝固特性进行了实验研究,并对其均质形核过冷度进行了理论预测.结果发现,采用熔融玻璃净化可使Ni-21.4%Si共晶合金获得318 K的过冷度.理论计算表明,此过冷度达到了Ni-21.4%Si共晶合金的均质形核过冷度.Ni-21.4%Si共晶合金凝固特性与过冷度△T有关:当过冷度小于250 K时,冷却曲线有2个再辉峰,其中当过冷度小于206 K时,凝固组织由Ni3Si相和规则共晶组成,当过冷度在206 K到250 K之间时,凝固组织由α-Ni相和规则共晶组成;过冷度大于250 K后,冷却曲线只有1个再辉峰,凝固组织为反常共晶.过冷度会影响初生相Ni3Si的生长方式.随着过冷度的增大,初生相Ni₃Si的生长会由小平面生长方式转为非小平面生长方式.     

深过冷合金再辉与凝固组织的研究

发现深过冷Ni_(68)B_(21)Si_(11)合金液形核过程中的多次再辉现象,揭示了二次和三次再辉的过冷条件,以及对凝固组织的影响。研究结果表明,深过冷Ni_(68)B_(21)Si_(11)合金液存在两种凝固机制:一是NilB,Nj‘si,B和Ni,B的三相共晶生长;另一个是以NilB为领先相的枝晶簇生长。当过冷度低于200K或超过310K时,合金液凝固仅伴生一次再辉,其晶体生长以第一种凝固方式进行。其他过冷范围内的合金液则发生多次再辉和枝晶簇凝固。     

Assessment of solidification characteristics of carbon-inoculated Mg-3%Al melt by thermal analysis

The Mg-3%Al melt was inoculated by carbon with different holding time. The effect of holding time on grain refining efficiency was evaluated. The solidification characteristics of the carbon-inoculated Mg-3%Al melt with different holding time were assessed by computer-aided cooling curve analysis. The results showed that Mg-3%Al alloy could be effectively refined by carbon inoculation. Slight fading phenomenon occurred with increasing the holding time to 60 min. Carbon inoculation could significantly influence the shape of cooling curves of Mg-3%Al melt. The nucleation starting and minimum temperatures increased. The recalescence undercooling and duration decreased to almost zero after carbon inoculation. The grain refining efficiency of carbon inoculation could be assessed by the shape of the cooling curve and solidification characteristic parameters including nucleation starting and minimum temperatures, recalescence undercooling and duration.     

灰铁凝固过程中缩孔缩松的预测

通过热分析实验及对灰铁试件的浇注实验,分析了碳当量及孕育对灰铁凝固过程的影响.在动态膨胀叠加法的基础上,综合考虑了初始温度、碳当量、孕育、初晶和共晶体积的收缩与膨胀,建立了灰铁缩孔预测模型.开发了灰铁凝固过程数值模拟分析系统,并对实际的灰铁浇注件进行验证分析,预测结果与实验结果吻合较好.     

Experimental determination of thermal conductivity of solid and liquid phases in Bi−Sn and Zn−Mg binary eutectic alloys

The thermal conductivities of solid phases, K_s, for Bi-43 wt.% Sn and Zn-0.15 wt.%Mg binary alloys at their eutectic temperature are found to be 28.0 τ 1.4 and 137.4–6.9 W/Km, respectively, with a radial heat flow apparatus. The thermal conductivity ratios, R, of liquid phase to solid phase for the same alloys at their eutectic temperature are found to be 0.93 and 0.78, respectively, with a Bridgman type directional solidification apparatus. Thus, the thermal conductivities of the liquid phases, K_L, for Bi-43 wt.%Sn and Zn-0.15 wt.%Mg binary alloys at their eutectic temperature are evaluated to be 26.0−1.3 and 107.2−5.4 W/Km, respectively, from the measured values of K_s and R.     

Effect of La addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of hypoeutectic Al-7Si aluminum alloy

The effect of La addition (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, wt.%) on the microstructure, tensile properties and fracture behavior of Al-7Si alloy was investigated systematically. It is found that the La appears in the Al-7Si alloy in the form of Al₄La and Al₂Si₂La phases. La addition can refine the secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) and eutectic Si particles, which are decreased by 7.9% and 7%, respectively, with the optimal La content of 0.1wt.%. Because when 0.1wt.% La is added, a relatively higher nucleation undercooling of 37.47 °C is observed. Higher undercooling degree suggests that nucleation is accelerated and subsequent growth is restrained. After T6 heat treatment, compared with the without La, the ultimate tensile strength of the alloy with 0.1wt.% La is enhanced by 5.2% from 333 MPa to 350.2 MPa and the elongation increases by 73% from 7.37% to 12.75%, correspondingly. The fracture mode evolves from the ductile-brittle mixed fracture to ductile fracture mode. However, when La element content reaches a certain value of 0.4wt.%, serious segregation takes place during the solidification process. The formed brittle phases deteriorate the tensile properties of the alloy and the fracture mode of Al-7Si-0.2/0.4 La changes to mixed ductile-brittle fracture mode.

     

Fe-Ni-P-B共晶合金的深过冷凝固组织演化

采用玻璃熔覆法使Fe-Ni-P-B共晶合金在不同过冷度条件下凝固,研究了其组织随过冷度的演化规律.结果表明,随着过冷度的增加,凝固组织形态逐渐从棒状规则共晶向不规则的粒状共晶组织转化.当T＜35 K时,棒状规则共晶组织随过冷度增加而逐渐细化;当35 K＜ T＜150 K时,凝固组织由团状非规则共晶与棒状规则共晶构成,且随着过冷度增加非规则共晶逐渐增多,规则共晶组织减少,共晶间距增大;当T＞150K时,获得完全非规则共晶组织.应用Jackson-Hunt共晶生长模型和枝晶熔断理论,对Fe-Ni-P-B共晶合金凝固组织形成机制进行了分析讨论.