TITLE:
Influence of Mould Heat Storage Capacity on Properties of Grey Iron
AUTHORS:
A.V. Adedayo, B. Aremo
KEYWORDS:
Graphite, Heat storage capacity, Cementite, Grey Iron, Graphite flakes
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.10 No.4,
March
28,
2011
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.