Effect of structural features on erosion resistance of cast irons

Abstract

Erosion resistance of four types of cast iron of different microstructures and graphite morphologies (viz., grey cast iron, compacted graphite iron, spheroidal graphite iron and aus- tempered ductile iron) was evaluated in three different erosive media. Results indicate that aus- tempered ductile iron has the highest erosion resistance in all three media, followed by spheroidal graphite iron, compacted graphite iron and grey cast iron, in that order. Graphite morphology has a significant effect on the erosion resistance of these irons in quartz-water and iron oxide- oil slurry. However, the matrix microstructure determines the erosion resistance of these irons in quartz-oil slurry. The parameter HIE (which is the ratio of the Brinell hardness number to Young's modulus of the material) has been found to be a good indicator of erosive wear in quartz-oil slurry.