Influence of Mould Heat Storage Capacity on Properties of Grey Iron

A.V. Adedayo, B. Aremo

Centre for Energy Research and Development (CERD), Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2011.104028                

Abstract

Grey cast iron is characterized by presence of a large portion of its carbon in the form of graphite flakes which are observable in their microstructures. Their properties are significantly dependent on the micro-constituents of the, cast iron components. A way of controlling the microstructure of cast iron is through the controlled cooling rates during solidification. To control cooling rate, the heat storage capacity of the mould is important. This paper presents the characteristic effects of graphite flake sizes on some mechanical properties of grey cast iron. Six mould materials with heat storage capacities ranging from 1.52 kJ.m^-2.K^-1.s^-1/2 to 2.16 kJ.m^-2.K^-1.s^-1/2 were prepared and used to cast some grey cast iron samples whose microstructures were observed by optical microscopy. Mechanical properties of the grey iron were evaluated. The results show that the properties increased with the heat storage capacity of the mould. Also, the microstructures show a dependence on heat storage capacity of the mould.

Keywords

Graphite, Heat storage capacity, Cementite, Grey Iron, Graphite flakes

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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