The effect of rolling on graphitization characteristics of strip cast Fe-C-Si white cast iron

Abstract

This study examined the first-stage graphitization of white cast iron strip after rolling. Experimental results confirmed that prerolling promotes and accelerates graphitization. The critical complete graphitization time was significantly shortened even after a small rolling reduction, and the number of temper graphite particles increased with increasing rolling reduction. Some of the evidence confirmed that these effects can be attributed to microstructural defects introduced by prerolling. These defects contribute to a shorter incubation period, a decreased complete graphitization time, and an increased number of temper graphite nucleation sites. In addition, this study adds further evidence to the assumption that graphite nucleation occurs at the interface between eutectic cementite and matrix, particularly in deformation cracking on eutectic cementite.