Investigation on effect of carbon equivalent and inoculation on the solidification and shrinkage tendency of ductile cast iron using thermal analysis
Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures
ISSN: 1573-6105
Article publication date: 30 October 2023
Issue publication date: 29 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The foundry industry incurs additional costs as a result of defective castings. Shrinkage defects are a frequent problem in ductile iron castings. It is still essential to understand how shrinkage porosity varies in size when the ductile iron composition changes. This information can be used to produce high-quality cast parts and determine the best processing conditions. The objective of this research paper is to examine the effect of carbon equivalent and inoculation on the morphology of the shrinkage defect using thermal analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
This study focuses on certain thermal analysis parameters, such as the angle of the first derivative curve at the solidus temperature, recalescence and its relationships to graphite nucleation and shrinkage tendency. The results of thermal analysis in terms of the cooling curve and its derivative parameters, and thorough characterizations of the shrinkage observed in cup castings produced with various melt compositions and inoculation are presented in the current study.
Findings
The proportion of caved surfaces and macro shrinkage porosity defects has been reduced as the carbon equivalent of melt increases from hypoeutectic to a hypereutectic composition. The composition that is slightly hypereutectic has the lowest shrinkage propensity. Although inoculation reduces shrinkage, the importance of this parameter differs depending on the carbon equivalent.
Originality/value
The percentage of macro shrinkage porosity and the angle that the cooling rate curve forms are strongly correlated. It is found that the macro shrinkage size decreases as the angle of the first derivative curve at the solidus temperature is reduced. Further, lower macroporosity is produced by a metal that has a higher nodule count in association with a greater cooling rate toward the end of the solidification process.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Top Gear Industries Ltd., Hatkanangale for allowing melting, inoculation testing and assistance in performing thermal analysis.
Citation
Sangame, B.B. and Reddy, Y.P. (2024), "Investigation on effect of carbon equivalent and inoculation on the solidification and shrinkage tendency of ductile cast iron using thermal analysis", Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/MMMS-04-2023-0143
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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