Effect of vibration frequency on primary phase and properties of grey cast iron fabricated by lost foam casting

The properties of gray cast iron(GCI)are affected by density of matrix,size of flake graphite and primary austenite.In this paper,the Y-type specimen of GCI was prepared by lost foam casting(LFC)with and without vibration,and the influence of vibration frequency on the density of matrix,size of primary phase,and properties of the GCI was studied.The results show that the length of the flake graphite and the size of the primary austenite in GCI firstly decrease and then increase with the increase of the vibration frequency.With a vibration frequency of 35 Hz,the length of the flake graphite is the shortest,the primary austenite is the finest and the density of the matrix is the highest.In addition,the tensile strength,elongation and hardness of the GCI firstly increase and then decrease with the increase of the vibration frequency,due to the refinement of the primary phase and the increase of the matrix density.In order to analyze the refinement mechanism of the primary phase of the GCI fabricated by the LFC with vibration,the solidification temperature fields of the GCI fabricated by the LFC with the vibration frequency of 0 and 35 Hz were measured.The results show that the vibration reduces the eutectic point of the GCI and increases the supercooling degree during the eutectic transformation.As a result,the length of the flake graphite and the size of the primary austenite in GCI fabricated by LFC with the vibration frequency of 35 Hz decrease.

Niobium alloying effect in high carbon equivalent grey cast iron

The effect of niobium on the formation of NbC phase and solidification structure in high carbon equivalent grey cast iron was investigated.The experimental results indicated that an increase in the niobium content is favorable to refining the graphite and eutectic cell;and the pearlite lamellar spacing is reduced.Based on the thermodynamic calculation the formation of NbC is prior to the eutectic reaction.The reduction in the pearlite lamellar spacing is mainly attributed to the decrease of eutectic temperature with the addition of niobium.Additionally,properties including hardness and wear resistance were improved after the addition of niobium.

Thermal analysis control of in-mould and ladle inoculated grey cast irons

The effect of addition of 0.05wt.% to 0.25 wt.% Ca,Zr,Al-FeSi alloy on in-ladle and in-mould inoculation of grey cast irons was investigated.In the present paper,the conclusions drawn are based on thermal analysis.For the solidification pattern,some specific cooling curves characteristics,such as the degree of undercooling at the beginning of eutectic solidif ication and at the end of solidifi cation,as well as the recalescence level,are identif ied to be more influenced by the inoculation technique.The degree of eutectic undercooling of the electrically melted base iron having 0.025% S,0.003% Al and 3.5% Ce is excessively high(39-40℃),generating a relatively high need for inoculation.Under these conditions,the in-mould inoculation has a more signif icant effect compared to ladle inoculation,especially at lower inoculant usage(less than 0.20 wt.%).Generally,the eff iciency of 0.05wt.% -0.15wt.% of alloy for in-mould inoculation is comparable to,or better than,that of 0.15wt.% -0.25wt.% addition in ladle inoculation procedures.In order to secure stable and controlled processes,representative thermal analysis parameters could be used,especially in thin wall grey iron castings production.

Microstructure evolution in grey cast iron during directional solidification

The solidification characteristics and microstructure evolution in grey cast iron were investigated through Jmat-Pro simulations and quenching performed during directional solidification. The phase transition sequence of grey cast iron was determined as L → L + γ→ L + γ + G →γ + G → P(α + Fe_3C) + α + G. The graphite can be formed in three ways: directly nucleated from liquid through the eutectic reaction(L →γ + G), independently precipitated from the oversaturated γ phase(γ→γ + G), and produced via the eutectoid transformation(γ→ G + α). The area fraction and length of graphite as well as the primary dendrite spacing decrease with increasing cooling rate. Type-A graphite is formed at a low cooling rate, whereas a high cooling rate results in the precipitation of type-D graphite. After analyzing the graphite precipitation in the as-cast and transition regions separately solidified with and without inoculation, we concluded that, induced by the inoculant addition, the location of graphite precipitation changes from mainly the γ interdendritic region to the entire γ matrix. It suggests that inoculation mainly acts on graphite precipitation in the γ matrix, not in the liquid or at the solid–liquid front.

Application of complex inoculants in improving the processability of grey cast iron for cylinder blocks

Effect of several complex inoculants on mechanical properties, process-ability and sensibility of grey cast iron used in cylinder block were investigated. The experimental results showed that the grey cast iron treated with 60%FeSi75+40%RE complex inoculants has tensile strength consistently at about 295 MPa along with good hardness and improved metallurgy quality. While the grey cast iron inoculated with 20%FeSi75+80%Sr compound inoculants has the best process-ability, the lowest cross-section sensibility and the least microhardness difference. The wear amount of the drill increases correspondingly with the increase of the microhardness difference of matrix structure, indicating the great effect of homogeneousness of matrix structure in the grey cast iron on the machinability of the grey cast iron.

THERMAL FATIGUE AND FRACTURE MECHANICS ANALYSIS OF GREY CAST IRON

The in-phase and out-of-phase thermal fatigue,the C-P type and P-C type isothermal fa- tigue of grey cast iron were experimentally studied.The fatigue life was evaluated analytically by using the elastic-plastic fracture mechanics method(mainly J integral).The results of ex- periments and calculations showed that the lifes of in-phase and C-P type fatigue are longer than that of out-of-phase and P-C type fatigue respectively within the same strain range. This is in contrast to the results of other materials such as low carbon steel.On the other hand, the predicted lifes are consistent with experimental results.This suggests that J integral as a mechanics parameter for characterizing the thermal fatigue strength of grey cast iron and the mechanics model and the calculation method developed here are efficient.A parameter ΔW_1 was proposed from energy aspect to characterize the capacity of crack propagation. The isothermal fatigue life is the same as the thermal fatigue life for identical ΔW_1 values.

Sliding Wear Behavior of a Grey Cast Iron Surface Remelted by TIG

The sliding wear behavior of a grey cast iron surface remelted by tungsten inert gas （TIG） was studied and compared with the unremelted one in the current work. To evaluate the wear behavior a Pin-on-Disk wear test machine was used. Pins which were prepared from the samples with the remelted layers of different thicknesses of 1.2, 1.8, 2.5 and 3 turn were worn on an AISID3 steel counterface having a hardness of 63HRC under the applied loads of 54, 76 and gg N at a constant sliding velocity of 0.45 m/s. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） equipped with energy dispersive X-ray analysis （EDS） and X-ray diffraction （XRD） techniques were used to characterize worn surface and subsurface and also wear debris obtained from the wear tests under different test conditions. Results showed that surface remelted grey cast iron have better wear properties for all applied normal loads in comparison with unremelted ones. Microscopic studies on the worn surfaces and subsurfaces of samples revealed that dominant wear mechanism for surface remelted samples was mild oxidative, while it was severe for unremelted samples. Increasing remelted layer thickness and then forming grosser microstructure lead to a decline of wear properties, whereas lower thickness of remelted layer with finer microstructure due to having higher cooling rate through remelting process can withstand better against wear.

Optimization of casting conditions for heat and abrasion resistant large grey iron castings

Numerical simulation technology was applied for optimizing the casting design and conditions in large cast iron castings for marine engine. By the simulation of mold filling and solidification sequences the problems of the previous casting conditions were analyzed and marked improvements for large cylinder liner parts were derived from these results. Especially the amount and positions of chills were optimized to increase the mechanical properties and to minimize the shrinkage and microporosity in the castings. Ultrasonic testing, penetration testing and mechanical property testing were carried out for the parts with the modified casting conditions. It showed that no defects in the castings were found and the productivity could be distinctly increased. The mechanical properties satisfied also the specification demanded.

Research on Welding Test of Grey Cast Iron and Low-Carbon Steel

Grey cast iron’s welding itself is a complex proble m.So proper welding materials must be selected,complex welding techniques such as preheating before weldingslow cooling after welding etc,should be taken. However the carbon component in low-carbon steel is comparatively low,the carbo n of welded joint will diffuse to the low-carbon steel when it is welded with gr ey cast iron,which will cause the component of carbon greatly increased at the low-carbon steel side in HAZ,high carbon martensite and cracks will occur.If p reheating before weldingslow cooling after welding and other welding procedure are taken,the grey cast iron side can probably be qualified.But the carbon wi ll diffuse to HAZ of the low-carbon steel side more easily.Therefore after stud ying the weldabilities of grey cast iron and low-carbon steel,the author develo ped a new type of cast iron electrode considering the demands of factories’prac tices,and the welding technology test of grey cast iron and low-carbon steel ar e carried out. In this paper,a new type of grey cast iron electrode is developed based on the practices in factories,its ingredients and properties are introduced.The w elding tests of grey cast iron and low-carbon steel are practiced.The joint str ucture of the dissimilar metal and the appearance of weld are observed.The hard ness distribution of the welded joint is tested.The results show that the elect rode can meet the welding requirements of the grey cast iron and low-carbon stee l.There are no cracksgas pores and other defects of metallurgy in welded join t,the appearance of welded joint are good.

Effect of Cu-Ni and Cu-Ni-Mn on the Microstructural and Mechanical Behaviour of As-Cast Non-Inoculated Hypereutectic Grey Iron

The hypereutectic region of grey cast iron has received very little attention especially for designing cast products by researchers. Due to its high carbon equivalence, hypereutectic grey iron poses some challenges especially its tendency for grey to white transition (GWT) at this level of carbon content. However, hypereutectic grey iron possesses inherent properties that could be easily utilized for improved performance in automobile engines and brake pad system. Significantly, they could be modified for superior hardness, strength and toughness. This study presents the effect of microalloying on the mechanical behaviour of hypereutectic grey cast iron with carbon equivalence above 4.5. The first part of this work presented in this paper considers the addition of Cu-Ni and Cu-Ni-Mn to series of as-cast hypereutectic grey cast iron and their hardness and tensile strength were studied and compared. A total of 33 cast samples were obtained with the control sample. The examination of the micrographs revealed that graphite eutectics cells of Type A and A + D were obtained in the resulting microstructure. Results analyses showed that the ferrite forming tendency of silicon was suppressed due to the high carbon content of the as-cast hypereutectic grey iron coupled with the absence of inoculation which plays a great role in the graphite flake type, network, size and distribution. Cu-Ni microalloying was also confirmed to promote hardness with the hardening effect limit of nickel observed at 1.3% composition. For Cu-Mi-Mn addition, excess and free sulphur in the hyper- eutectic grey iron results in reverse effect of manganese on strength, hardness, reduced graphite flake size and shape.

Evaluation of Corrosion Behaviour of Grey Cast Iron and Low Alloy Steel in Cocoa Liquor and Well Water

Corrosion behaviour of cast iron and low alloy steel in cocoa liquor and well water was investigated. The average weight losses of the specimens were measured using digital weighing balance. The results showed that the weight losses of both cast iron and low alloy steel in both media increases with time. Corrosion rate of cast iron in cocoa liquor increases rapidly with time for up to 336 hours (1000 μm/yr), but in well water the rapid rate of corrosion only lasted up to 187 hours (1160 μm/yr) thereafter it continuously dropping until 264 hours (667 μm/yr) after which it remains constant. Low alloy steel corroded faster in cocoa liquor up to 264 hours (200 μm/yr), whereas the initial rapid corrosion rate only lasted up to 168 hours (180 μm/yr) in well water environment. The results revealed that low alloy steel exhibited better corrosion resistance in both media, with cocoa liquor been more aggressive. Thus, low alloy steel will be a better material for piping and pumping system in cocoa processing industries.

Age Strengthening of Grey Cast Iron Alloys for Machine Cutting Tools Production

This work was carried out with the aim of using alloying and ageing processes to develop new alloys from grey cast iron that will have optimum properties suitable for the manufacturing of machine cutting tools. Four different alloys of grey cast iron with alloying composition of Fe-3% Al-2.5% Cr-2% Mo;Fe-3% Al-2% Cr-2% Mo;Fe-3% Al-2.5% Cr-1.5% Mo and Fe-3% Al-1.5% Cr-2% Mo were produced. The chemical analysis of both as-received base metal and produced alloys was determined using Spetro-CJRO Arc-Spectrometer. The microstructural properties and mechanical properties (hardness, impact toughness and ultimate tensile strength) of the produced alloys were determined for both as-cast samples and aged samples. The results showed that the addition of these alloying elements slightly decreased carbon, silicon and phosphorus content and thereby changed the hypereutectic cast iron to hypoeutectic by reducing the carbon equivalent. Also the morphology of graphite flake was changed as a result of the formation of nitrides and carbides of different phases. The results of the mechanical properties showed that the maximum hardness values obtained for each of the four alloys produced and aged at 300?C are 71.5 HRc, 69 HRc, 66.5 HRc and 65.4 HRc respectively. The maximum values for impact toughness obtained for each of the same produced alloys are 66 J, 63.6 J, 62 J and 60.3 J respectively. Also the maximum ultimate tensile strength values obtained for each of the alloys are 1380 N·mm-2, 1311 N·mm-2, 1260 N·mm-2 and 1190 N·mm-2. Comparing the properties obtained from the produced alloys with those of the commercial cutting tools, it was found that cutting tools manufactured from these produced alloys can compete favourably with cast cobalt tool, high speed steel (HSS) and tool steel.

Study on in-situ WC particles/tungsten wire reinforced iron matrix composites under electromagnetic field

By applying electromagnetic field to a system consisting of tungsten wires and grey cast iron melt,the grey cast iron matrix composite reinforced by either in-situ WC particles or the combination ofin-situ WC particles and the residual tungsten wire was obtained.By means of differential thermal analysis(DTA),the pouring temperature ofiron melt was determined at 1,573 K.The microstructures of the composites were analyzed by using of X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive spectrum(EDS) and pin-on-disc abrasive wear test.The obtained results indicated that,with the enhancing frequency of electromagnetic field,the amount ofin-situ WC particles gradually increases,leading to continuous decrease of the residual tungsten wires.When the electromagnetic field frequency was up to 4 kHz,tungsten wires reacted completely with carbon atoms in grey cast iron melt,forming WC particals.The electromagnetic field appeared to accelerate the elemental diffusion in the melt,to help relatively quick formation of a series of small FeW-C ternary zones and to improve the kinetic condition ofin-situ WC fabrication.As compared with the composite prepared without the electromagnetic field,the composite fabricated at 4 kHz presented good wear resistance.

Application of grey relational analysis based on Taguchi method for optimizing machining parameters in hard turning of high chrome cast iron

High chrome white cast iron is particularly preferred in the production of machine parts requiring high wear resistance. Although the amount of chrome in these materials provides high wear and corrosion resistances, it makes their machinability difficult. This study presents an application of the grey relational analysis based on the Taguchi method in order to optimize chrome ratio, cutting speed, feed rate, and cutting depth for the resultant cutting force (Fr) and surface roughness (Ra) when hard turning high chrome cast iron with a cubic boron nitride (CBN) insert. The effect levels of machining parameters on Fr and Ra were examined by an analysis of variance (ANOVA). A grey relational grade (GRG) was calculated to simultaneously minimize Fr and Ra. The ANOVA results based on GRG indicated that the feed rate, followed by the cutting depth, was the main parameter and contributed to respo ses. Optimal levels of parameters were found when the chrome ratio, cutting speed, feed rate, and cutting depth were 12%, 100m/min, 0.05mm/r, and 0.1mm, respectively, based on the multiresponse optimization results obtained by considering the maximum signal to noise (SIN) ratio of GRG. Confirmation results were verified by calculating the confidence level within the interval width.

Molybdenum alloying in cast iron and steel

Metal casting is an important manufacturing technology for efficiently producing massive components with complex shape.A large share of industrial castings is made from iron and steel alloys,combining attractive properties and low production cost.Upgrading of properties in cast iron and steel is mainly achieved by alloying and in fewer cases by heat treatment.Molybdenum is an important alloying element in that respect,increasing strength,hardness and toughness.It also facilitates particular heat treatments such as austempering.The paper describes the metallurgical functionality of molybdenum alloying in iron-based castings and demonstrates its effectiveness for applications in the automotive and mining industry.

Comparative study of abrasion via microindentation and microscratch tests of reinforced and unreinforced lamellar cast iron

This study compares micro-abrasive wear in two kinds of grey cast iron. Classical lamellar cast iron with fully pearlitic matrix(FGL1) and lamellar micro-alloyed cast iron with phosphorus and boron(FGL2) are used. FGL2 has a fully pearlitic matrix reinforced by the hard phosphorus eutectic phase. The microstructures of these two types of iron are mechanically characterized using nanoindentation tests. Vickers microindentation and microscratch tests are also performed on these iron samples. The indent and scratch images obtained via scanning electron microscopy were used to compare the scratch damage to the two kinds of iron. The friction coefficient is discussed in terms of applied load, indenter attack angle, and scratch damage. Nanoindentation tests show an improvement in graphite’s mechanical properties and an increase in the matrix hardness of the FGL2, relatively to FGL1. The same damage forms for both microindentation and microscratch testing were observed for the two iron samples. However, cracking of the hard phase is observed in FGL2. The results show that the scratching of the micro-alloyed iron(FGL2) leads to less matrix damage and to an extended microploughing wear mechanism. However, at low normal load, the reinforcement of the matrix can increase the friction coefficient.

Defect elimination in green sand casting using simulation techniques:A case study

The Reynolds number of molten metal flowing mold cavity causes bulk turbulence and is the main cause of defects like shrinkage porosity and sand erosion.Machined housings with shrinkage porosity at critical bearing bores and surface made the casting useless.In old gating casting areas of perimeters 290mm and 264mm of transmission housing,Reynolds numbers were observed as 16307 and 13806,respectively using simulation software.Data were collected from experiments to change casting area perimeters from 785mm and 785mm along with the addition of overlap area.New Reynolds numbers at two locations were observed as 3705 and 3393,respectively.Molten metal pressure,velocity and temperature results were related for final shrinkage results of the components on full production.The purpose of the study is to reduce shrinkage and porosity defects in green sand casting part using MAGMAS simulation software.High outcome was the reduction of casting machining rejection in transmission housing casting from 5.8%0.7%with savings of approximately 0.13 million USD over the period of 14 months.Implications of this work include casting defects study and reduction in different grades and weight range.

Cavitation-erosion resistance of arc ion-plated (Ti, Cr) N coatings

The cavitation-erosion behavior of (Ti,Cr)N multi-component coatings produced by arcion-plating on grey cast iron was studied by using an ultrasonic cavitation -erosion testing appara-tus and scanning electron microscopy. The test results indicated that surface roughness of thesubstrate, surface morphology of the coating, substrate bias voltage and the thickness of the coat-ing had certain influence on the erosion rate. Arc ion-plated (Ti,Cr)N multi-component coatingsshowed better cavitation -erosion resistance than single component coatings because of highermicrohardness and good adhesion.