Effect of Silicon Additions on the Wear Properties of Grey Cast Iron

Johnson O Agunsoye,Afemefuna T Onwuegbuzie,Olumuyiwa I Awe,Talabi S Isaac

doi:10.4236/jmmce.2013.12012

Abstract

This paper investigates the wear characteristic of grey cast iron composition under dry lubrication conditions. The effects of sliding speed, applied load, time and percentage of ferrosilicon additions, on the wear rate of grey cast iron were studied. The set of experimental data were taken in a controlled and sequential manner. Scanning electron microscope was used to examine the morphology of the samples as well as the worn out surfaces. Linear regression equation and analysis of variances (ANOVA) showed that the main effect of silicon additions, load and speed variable are more pronounced on the wear behaviour of the grey cast iron. Also, the result showed that the additions of silicon improved the wear resistance of the grey cast iron as the wear parameters such as speed, load and time varied. The study showed that wear transition occurred at 3.2% silicon addition.

Highlights

Grey cast iron is inexpensive and it is readily available
Scanning electron microscope was used to examine the morphology of the samples as well as the worn out surfaces
The microstructure represents a typical grey cast iron with large volume of soft graphite flakes embedded in the matrix of the microstructure

Summary

Introduction

Grey cast iron is inexpensive and it is readily available Its specific characteristics such as low melting point, excellent castability and no freezing contraction enhances its capability for fabrication of complicated components by using the simplest and most economic methods. It is employed in a number of mechanical and structural applications because of its excellent engineering properties such as good thermal properties, vibration damping properties, and good machinability. Despite favourable characteristics of grey cast iron, sharp edge of flake graphites contributes to stress concentration and crack formation. The deformation ability is negligibly small and the elongation at rupture is less than

Methods

Results

Conclusion