Effect of Copper and Nickel on the Crystallization, Microstructure and Properties of Vermicular Cast Iron

摘要

The paper presents the results of studies of the effect of copper and nickel concentration on the solidification process, microstructure and selected properties of cast iron with vermicular graphite. The vermicularizing treatment of cast iron was done by an Inmold process. The effect of alloying elements on the temperature of eutectic crystallization and on the temperature of the austenite transformation was discussed. The relationship between the concentration of Cu and Ni, and the temperature of phase transformation were given. The effect of aforementioned elements on graphite shape and the cast iron matrix microstructure was tested. It was demonstrated that Cu and Ni are perlite-forming elements. A comparison of the intensity of their impact was showed. The conditions were given for which in vermicular cast iron with nickel or/and copper an pearlitic matrix is achieved. The effect of the above mentioned elements on the hardness and microhardness of the matrix components was given.