New approach to the use of thermal analysis to predict microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast ductile iron

Abstract

This paper describes the work carried out in order to use thermal analysis, not only to forecast carbon and silicon compositions, but also to anticipate some significant structural features, such us graphite nodularity, perlite count and others, and make it available swiftly at the foundry floor.

A procedure relating the influence of melting charge, melt processing and inoculation potential over thermal analysis inflexions, critical points and arrests is being developed with the aim to study the potential of thermal analysis techniques as a swift tool to microstructure prediction.

It will be given some insight to the use of new software, which together with thermal analysis, enable to forecast with high precision carbon and silicon compositions, even for hypereutectic cast iron compositions.

This paper will describe some of the achievements accomplish at this stage of the project. A special emphasis will be given to the influence of the cartridge geometry and will be referred the results on graphite surface density, nodularity, sphericity, and perlite count.

Key words:

• Thermal analysis
• ductile iron
• microstructure