Newly Patented Inoculant Boasts Benefits for Gray and Ductile Cast Irons

摘要

The use of inoculants to control microstructure as well as reduce the chilling tendency or the formation of iron carbides (or cementite) is common practice in the ferrous foundry industry. The presence of 'iron carbides" in the iron matrix is undesirable because this constituent is hard and brittle and can result in poor mechanical properties and machinability. A new low-silicon, oxy-sulfide containing gray and ductile inoculant has been patented that is said to be four times as powerful as 75 percent calcium bearing foundry ferrosilicon and more than twice as potent as proprietary ferrosilicon inoculants or cast inoculant inserts. The new inoculants are availble in two forms: solid pressed inserts for in-mold inoculation and granular versions for in-stream or ladle inoculation. Both grades can be used in either gray or ductile irons to reduce carbides, improve structure, increase nodule counts, and improve physical properties and machinability