Identification and evaluation of modification level for compacted graphite cast iron

The shape of the freezing zone of a thermal analysis cooling curve not only contains the information about the modification level of compacted graphite cast iron (CGI) right after vermicularizing treatment, but also reflects the following fading process during holding. When the freezing zones of two cooling curves are approximately the same, graphite morphologies of the samples cast from the two corresponding melts right after vermicularizing treatment are similar, and those of the two corresponding samples cast after holding for the same period are similar too. Based on the pattern recognition method and database established from a large amount of experimental results, the shape of the freezing zone of a cooling curve can be used to identify the modification level of CGI melt and on-line prediction of a CGI melt quality has been realized.     

Laser-assisted machining of compacted graphite iron

Compacted graphite iron (CGI) is a material currently under study for the new generation of engines, including blocks, cylinder liners, and cylinder heads. Its unique graphite structure yields desirable high strength, but makes it difficult to machine, thus resulting in a machining cost. Laser-assisted machining (LAM) is adopted to improve its machinability and hence machining economics. The machinability of CGI is studied by varying depth of cut, feed, and material removal temperature and then evaluating resultant cutting forces, specific cutting energy, surface roughness, and tool wear. At a material removal temperature of 400 °C and a feed of 0.150 mm/rev at a cutting speed of 1.7 m/s, it is shown that tool life is 60% greater than conventional conditions at a feed of 0.100 mm/rev. Surface roughness is improved 5% as compared to conventional machining at a feed of 0.150 mm/rev. CGI microstructure evaluated post machining by sectioning and polishing shows no change. An economic analysis shows that LAM can offer an approximately 20% cost savings for the machining of an engine cylinder liner.     

Experimental and numerical analysis of effect of cooling rate on thermal–microstructural response of spheroidal graphite cast iron solidification

This work presents an experimental and numerical study of the solidification process of an eutectic spheroidal graphite cast iron (SGI). The effect of the cooling rate on the thermal–microstructural response is particularly analysed. To this end, experiments as well as numerical simulations were carried out. The experiments consisted in a solidification test in a wedge-like casting such that different cooling rates were measured at specific positions along the part. A metallographic analysis was also performed in five locations of the sample with the aim of obtaining the number and size of graphite nodules at the end of the process. The numerical simulations were made using multinodular based and uninodular based models. These two models predicted similar results in terms of cooling curves and nodule counts. Besides, good experimental–numerical agreements were obtained for both the cooling curves and the graphite nodule counts.     

铸型冷却速度对半固态镁合金浆料凝固组织的影响

采用不同直径型腔的铜质和铁质两种金属型,研究了铸型冷却速度对双螺杆机械搅拌法制备的半固态镁合金浆料凝固组织的影响.结果表明,随着铸型冷却速度的降低,半固态浆料的固相率升高,初生α-Mg相晶粒平均尺寸增大.采用铁质重力金属型不能制备直径大于φ25mm的半固态镁合金坯料,半固态浆料必须采用压铸或挤压成形的方法才能为触变成形工艺提供优质的半固态坯料.     

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.     

Mechanical properties of compacted graphite cast iron with different microstructures

Tensile strength, fracture toughness and impact properties were evaluated in compacted graphite (CG) cast iron with ferritic, pearlitic and ausferritic microstructures. Ultimate tensile strengths for the ferritic and pearlitic samples were 337 and 632 MPa respectively. The austempered samples showed a significant increment in the strength and recording values between 675 and 943 MPa. The fracture toughness test revealed that the stress–intensity factor K_IC was 34·0 MPa m^1/2 for the ferritic CG iron, 39·7 MPa m^1/2 for the pearlitic and between 51·0 and 58·0 MPa m^1/2 for the austempered irons. On the other hand, CG iron with ferritic matrix exhibited the best impact properties with absorbed energy of 33·3 J. The absorbed energy of the pearlitic CG iron was the lowest, 14·3 J, while the austempered samples showed values between 17·2 and 28·4 J. Complementing these results, the critical crack size was also analysed.     

Occurrence and effect of casting skin in compacted graphite iron

Most iron castings retain their as cast surfaces because of their geometric complexity and to minimise the machining costs. However, the mechanical properties that are documented in standards (i.e. ASTM) are tested on fully machined test bars. Therefore, the effect of the as cast surface and subsurface features (commonly referred as ‘casting skin’) on mechanical properties should be evaluated. Preliminary works have shown the negative effect of the casting skin on mechanical properties of grey and ductile irons. This paper reviews the recent works on the casting skin effect on tensile and fatigue properties in compacted graphite and ductile irons. It was found that the tensile and fatigue strength were reduced by 9 and 40% respectively because of the presence of the casting skin. In addition, the correlations between processing parameters (e.g. nodularity and section thickness) and the casting skin features were presented. The experimental results suggest that the Mg depletion because of metal–mould and metal–air interactions was the main reason for the formation of the casting skin.     

Investigation of the wear mechanism of cubic boron nitride tools used for the machining of compacted graphite iron and grey cast iron

Various experiments were performed to investigate the wear mechanism of cubic boron nitride (cBN) tools used for the machining of compacted graphite iron (CGI). Comparative studies for tools used to machine grey cast iron (CI) were also performed in order to find out why in this case the tool lifetime is significantly higher. Two main effects were found that are responsible for tool wear, namely: (1) oxidation of the tool, and (2) interdiffusion of constituting elements between tool and CGI. These wear mechanisms are more or less the same for the machining of CGI and grey CI. The difference in tool lifetime can be explained by the formation of a MnS layer on the tool surface in the case of grey CI. This layer is missing in the case of CGI. The MnS layer acts as a lubricant and as a diffusion barrier and is the reason for the reduced wear in the case of grey CI.     

Effects of Mo and Ni on the thermal conductivity of compacted graphite iron at elevated temperature

ABSTRACT

The effects of Mo and Ni on the microstructure and properties of compacted graphite iron were investigated experimentally, especially with regard to the thermal conductivity at elevated temperature. It was found that the ferrite fraction is weakly affected by Mo content but significantly reduced by Ni addition. Moderate content of Mo is beneficial to the tensile strength and the elongation, but it is detrimental for the thermal conductivity, which is more obvious than Ni. The phenomenon that thermal conductivity increases and then decreases at elevated temperature, which is named temperature dependence, could be connected with the lattice distortion of the matrix caused by solute atoms. With the addition of Mo or Ni, the rising amplitude of thermal conductivity increases as well as the temperature corresponding to the maximal of thermal conductivity. Besides, the effects of Mo on the temperature dependence of thermal conductivity are higher when compared with Ni.     

Effect of inoculant containing rare earth metals and bismuth on microstructure and mechanical properties of heavy-section near-eutectic ductile iron castings

The effects of inoculation sequence and inoculant chemical composition on heavy-section castings microstructure, with particular attention to chunky graphite, were investigated. The combinations of inoculant types with inoculation sequences were chosen basing on foundry experience.Thermal and chemical analyses were used to control the experimental foundry processes. Metallurgical analyses were performed by means of optical and field-emission gun scanning electron microscope and important microstructural parameters were measured and correlated with the results coming from tensile tests. In-stream inoculation with inoculant containing Bi and rare earths was found to drastically reduce the formation of chunky graphite. This result was attributed to the major fading resistance of such inoculant compared to the standard ones, confirmed both by nodule fraction measurements and sub-micrometric aggregates of Bi detected at the spheroid centre in the central part of the casting.     

Linear contraction of ductile iron castings

The effect of casting design on the linear contraction of ductile iron castings produced in clay- and silicate-bonded sand moulds has been studied. The designs included free and restrained square bar castings.

Free contraction of very thin sections of ductile iron in sand moulds was found to approach 1.35%. As sections increased to 25 mm thick, the contraction decreased linearly to 1.08% in silicate-bonded sand moulds, but to 0.90% in clay-bonded sand moulds.

For test pieces with end flanges which stimulated various degrees of constraint as would be experienced in a shaped casting, the contraction was found to be sensitive to the third power of the relative cooling time of the flange and the cast section. In conditions of high constraint, contraction could fall as low as 0.55%.

The data from this study represent a first attempt to provide a designer and toolmaker with realistic contraction allowances for shaped castings.     

Quantitative models for microstructure and thermal conductivity of vermicular graphite cast iron cylinder block based on cooling rate

The relationships of cooling rate with microstructure and thermal conductivity of vermicular graphite cast iron(VGI) cylinder block were studied, which are important for design and optimization of the casting process of VGI cylinder blocks. Cooling rates at different positions in the cylinder block were calculated based on the cooling curves recorded with a solidification simulation software. The metallographic structure and thermal conductivity were observed and measured using optical microscopy(OM), scanning electrical microscopy(SEM) and laser flash diffusivity apparatus, respectively. The effects of the cooling rate on the vermicularity, total and average areas of all graphite particles, and the pearlite fraction in the VGI cylinder block were investigated. It is found that the vermicularity changes in parabola trend with the increase of cooling rate. The total area of graphite particles and the cooling rate at eutectoid stage can be used to predict pearlite fraction well. Moreover, it is found that the thermal conductivity at room temperature is determined by the average area of graphite particles and pearlite fraction when the range of vermicularity is from 80% to 93%. Finally, the quantitative models are established to calculate the vermicularity, pearlite fraction, and thermal conductivity of the VGI cylinder block.     

Influences of pouring temperature and cooling rate on microstructure and mechanical properties of casting A1-Si-Cu aluminum alloy

This paper investigated the influences of pouring temperature and cooling rate on the microstructure development and mechanical properties for casting Al-Si-Cu aluminum alloy.The microstructure of the as-cast samples was characterized by an optical microscope.The results showed that the dendrite arm spacing(DAS,λ) is well refined by pouring at a higher temperature.The λ decreases with increasing pouring temperature due to the multiplication of the nucleation sites in the superheating liquid melt,and the mechanical properties,such as microhardness and ultimate tensile strength increase correspondingly,while the elongation decreases.The relationships between microhardness and λ for the samples cooled in metal mould and sand mould,are given as HV=118.9 1.246λ and HV=115.2 1.029λ,respectively.The effects of the cooling rate controlled by using permanent mould casting and sand mould casing processes(the cooling medium is air and sand,respectively) on the dendrite arm spacing and mechanical properties are similar to the effect of the pouring temperature.     

A reliable and consistent production technology for high volume compacted graphite iron castings

The demands for improved engine performance,fuel economy,durability,and lower emissions provide a continual challenge for engine designers.The use of Compacted Graphite Iron（CGI）has been established for successful high volume series production in the passenger vehicle,commercial vehicle and industrial power sectors over the last decade.The increased demand for CGI engine components provides new opportunities for the cast iron foundry industry to establish efficient and robust CGI volume production processes,in China and globally.The production window range for stable CGI is narrow and constantly moving.Therefore,any one step single addition of magnesium alloy and the inoculant cannot ensure a reliable and consistent production process for complicated CGI engine castings.The present paper introduces the SinterCast thermal analysis process control system that provides for the consistent production of CGI with low nodularity and reduced porosity,without risking the formation of flake graphite.The technology is currently being used in high volume Chinese foundry production.The Chinese foundry industry can develop complicated high demand CGI engine castings with the proper process control technology.     

Damage evolution in compacted graphite iron during thermomechanical fatigue testing

Thermomechanical fatigue properties of a compacted graphite iron in an out of phase configuration are investigated for different maximum temperatures and mechanical strain ranges. Furthermore, the stress–strain hysteresis loops are analysed, and, in particular, the unloading modulus, i.e. the elastic modulus measured during specimen unloading, is obtained from each cycle. This material parameter has earlier been explicitly related to the amount of microcracking in cast irons. The results show that the unloading modulus linearly declines with the numbers of cycles in all tests performed. In addition, the rate of change of the unloading modulus is closely related to the number of cycles to failure. Accordingly, it is concluded that microcracks are independently propagated by fatigue until a point of rapid crack linking resulting in ultimate failure. This is supported by microstructural analyses consisting of optical microscope images taken at different stages throughout the life of a specimen.     

凝固速度和时效处理对高强高导Cu-3.2Ni-0.7Si合金组织与性能的影响*

通过单辊旋淬快速凝固技术制备Cu-3.2Ni-0.7Si（wt%）合金薄带。研究了不同旋淬速度（凝固速度）和时效处理对合金微观组织、导电率和力学性能的影响。结果表明,随着凝固速度的增大,铸态合金的晶粒明显细化,导电率降低,显微硬度和拉伸强度升高。铸态合金在同一温度进行时效处理,随着时效时间的增加,合金的电导率呈升高趋势,而合金的显微硬度和拉伸强度先升高后降低。铸态合金的导电率随凝固速度的增大而降低是基体晶格畸变程度增大所致;合金时效处理后导电率升高是由于第二相析出明显消除晶格畸变的结果。铸态合金显微硬度和拉伸强度随凝固速度增大而升高是细晶强化的结果;时效处理后,合金的显微硬度和抗拉强度明显提高是第二相强化的结果,而过度时效导致显微硬度和拉伸强度降低的主要原因是第二相的粗化团聚所致。     

Modelling and simulation of local mechanical properties of high silicon solution-strengthened ferritic compacted graphite iron

This study focuses on the modelling and simulation of local mechanical properties of compacted graphite iron cast at different section thicknesses and three different levels of silicon, ranging from about 3.6% up to 4.6%. The relationship between tensile properties and microstructure is investigated using microstructural analysis and statistical evaluation. Models are generated using response surface methodology, which reveal that silicon level and nodularity mainly affect tensile strength and 0.2% offset yield strength, while Young′s modulus is primarily affected by nodularity. Increase in Si content improves both the yield and tensile strength, while reduces elongation to failure. Furthermore, mechanical properties enhance substantially in thinner section due to the high nodularity. The obtained models have been implemented into a casting process simulation, which enables prediction of local mechanical properties of castings with complex geometries. Very good agreement is observed between the measured and predicted microstructures and mechanical properties, particularly for thinner sections.     

Analytical investigations concerning the wear behaviour of cutting tools used for the machining of compacted graphite iron and grey cast iron

Compacted graphite iron (CGI) is the material for the upcoming new generation of high-power diesel engines. Due to its increased strength compared to grey cast iron (CI) it allows an increase in the cylinder-pressures and therefore a better fuel economy and a higher power output are possible. First examples of such engines are the 3.3 L Audi V8 TDI and the 4.0 L BMW V8. The reason why CGI is not used to a larger extent in large scale production up to now is its much more difficult machinability as compared to conventional CI, especially at high cutting speeds. In modern transfer lines high cutting speeds are used in the cylinder-boring operation. And especially in these continuous cutting operations the tool life decreased due to the change from CI to CGI by about a factor of 20. As was found out previously by us, the difference in tool lifetime can be explained by the formation of a MnS-layer on the tool surface in the case of CI. This layer cannot form when machining CGI because the formation of MnS-inclusions is not possible in this material due to the higher magnesium content which in turn is responsible for the formation of the graphite vermicles. The MnS-layer acts as a lubricant and prevents the adhesion of workpiece particles. This is the reason for the greatly reduced wear of CI in high speed machining operations. This MnS-layer is inspected closer by X-ray diffraction, X-ray induced photoelectron spectrometry, atomic force microscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry in this work. Furthermore, available information on the performance of MnS as lubricant in PM-steels is comparatively discussed. This knowledge led to an economic solution of high productivity machining of CGI. The key was to reduce the cutting speed, replacing single insert tools with multiple insert tools. This allowed to increase the feed rate. By increasing the feed rate in the same amount as decreasing the cutting speed, the same productivity can be realized. This concept is leading to a number of multiple insert tools thus realizing a high productivity machining of CGI cylinder-bores with multi-layer-coated carbide tools.     

Influence of cooling rate and antimony addition content on graphite morphology and mechanical properties of a ductile iron

Cooling rate and inoculation practice can greatly affect the graphite morphology of ductile irons.In the present research,the effects of the cooling rate and antimony addition on the graphite morpholog...     

Effect of cooling rate on microstructure and properties of microalloyed HSLA steel weld metals

Abstract

Two high strength Nb/Ti microalloyed S690QL steels were welded with identical filler material, varying welding parameters to obtain three cooling rates: slow, medium and fast cooling. As cooling rate increased, the predominantly acicular ferrite in Nb weld metal (WM) is substituted by bainite, with a consequence of obvious hardness increase, but in Ti WM, no great variation of acicular ferrite at all cooling rates contributed to little increment of hardness. The transition between bainite and acicular ferrite has been analysed from the point view of inclusions characteristics, chemical composition and cooling rate. Excellent Charpy toughness at 233?K was obtained with acicular ferrite as predominantly microstructure. Even with bainite weld of high hardness, the toughness was nearly enough to fulfill the minimal requirements. WM for Ti steel showed to be markedly less sensitive to the variations of cooling rate than that for Nb steel.