Inoculation mechanism of rare earth–Mg alloy in molten cast iron

The dissolution region of RE–Mg (RE=rare earth) alloy in the reaction chambers of in-mould inoculated castings was studied by scanning electron microscopy and on electron microprobe. The dissolution region of the inoculant was divided into 7 zones according to its microstructure. The RE–Mg alloy is composed of Mg2Si, a Mg2Si–Si eutectic, FeSi, RE–Mg–Si and other silicides. The dissolution of the alloy is a process in which the low melting point phases such as Mg2Si, a Mg2Si–Si eutectic and RE–Mg–Si dissolve first, and the high melting point phases such as FeSi and FeSi2 dissolve later. In addition, some intermediate products form during the dissolution process. This causes a concentration gradient of Mg and RE in the melt which results in a transition of the graphite morphology from normal spheroid to open nodule, vermicular and flake graphite. The dissolution of the FeSi phase in the melt forms local sites of high silicon concentration which promote the nucleation and growth of the graphite. © 1998 Chapman & Hall