Abstract
Abstract The work determined the influence of aluminium in the amount from about 1% to about 7% on the graphite precipitates in cast iron with relatively high silicon content (3.4% to 3.90%) and low manganese content (about 0.1%). The cast iron was spheroidized with cerium mixture and graphitized with ferrosilicon. The performed treatment resulted in occurring of compact graphite precipitates, mainly nodular and vermicular, of various size. The following parameters were determined: the area percentage occupied by graphite, perimeters of graphite precipitates per unit area, and the number of graphite precipitates per unit area. The examinations were performed by means of computer image analyser, taking into account four classes of shape factor. It was found that as the aluminium content in cast iron increases from about 1.1% to about 3.4%, the number of graphite precipitates rises from about 700 to about 1000 per square mm. For higher Al content (4.2% to 6.8%) this number falls within the range of 1300 - 1500 precipitates/mm2. The degree of cast iron spheroidization increases with an increase in aluminium content within the examined range, though when Al content exceeds about 2.8%, the area occupied by graphite decreases. The average size of graphite precipitates is equal to 11-15 μm in cast iron containing aluminium in the quantity from about 1.1% to about 3.4%, and for higher Al content it decreases to about 6 μm.
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