Microsegregation of manganese and silicon in high manganese ductile iron

Abstract

Manganese is known as an inexpensive element and a potent promoter of hardenabilty in ductile iron but it also segregates severely and encourages the formation of carbides in the matrix. Thus, it is suggested that when the Mn content is high, attempts should be made to minimise the Mn segregation. In the present work the effect of solidification rate and homogenisation treatment on the severity of segregation of Mn and Si in several types of wear resistant high Mn ductile iron was investigated. It is demonstrated that increasing the solidification rate, leading to a high nodule count, decreases not only the heterogeneity of these elements but also the carbide content.