The graphitization process of cast iron and the factors affecting the graphitization of cast iron

 1. Graphitization process of cast iron

    The formation process of graphite in cast iron is called graphitization process. The basic process of the structure of cast iron is the formation process of graphite in cast iron. Therefore, it is very important to understand the conditions and influencing factors of the graphitization process to master the structure and properties of cast iron materials.

    According to the dual state diagram of Fe-C alloy, the graphitization process of cast iron can be divided into three stages:

    The first stage is the liquid phase hypoeutectic crystallization stage. Including the direct crystallization of primary graphite from the liquid phase of hypereutectic components and the liquid phase of eutectic components to crystallize austenite plus graphite, graphite formed by decomposing primary cementite and eutectic cementite during high temperature annealing.

    The intermediate stage is the stage between eutectic transformation and hypoeutectoid transformation. Including the direct precipitation of secondary graphite from austenite and the graphite formed by the decomposition of secondary cementite in this temperature range.

    The third stage, that is, the transformation phase of the total discount. Including the eutectoid graphite formed during the co-folding transformation and the graphite formed by the decomposition of the eutectoid cementite during annealing.

2. Factors affecting graphitization of cast iron

    The structure of cast iron depends on the degree of graphitization. In order to obtain the required structure, the key is to control the degree of graphitization. Practice has proved that many factors such as the chemical composition of cast iron, the cooling rate of cast iron crystals, the overheating and standing of molten iron, etc., all affect graphitization and the microstructure of cast iron.

1. The influence of chemical composition

    Among the common C, Si, Mn, P, and S in cast iron, C and Si are elements that strongly promote graphitization, and S is an element that strongly hinders graphitization. In fact, the influence of each element on the graphitization ability of cast iron is extremely complicated. Its influence is related to the content of each element itself and whether it interacts with other elements, such as Ti, Zr, B, Ce, Mg, etc., all hinder graphitization, but if its content is extremely low (such as B, Ce<0.01%, T< 0.08%), they show the effect of promoting graphitization.

2. The effect of cooling rate

    Generally speaking, the cooling rate of castings tends to be slower, the more favorable it is for crystallization and transformation according to the state diagram of Fe-G stable system, and full graphitization; on the contrary, it is favorable for crystallization and transformation according to the state diagram of Fe-Fe3C metastable system. Finally obtained white iron. Especially in the graphitization at the eutectoid stage, since the temperature is low, the cooling rate increases, and the diffusion of atoms is difficult, it is generally difficult to fully progress the graphitization at the eutectoid stage.

    The cooling rate of cast iron is a comprehensive factor, which is related to the pouring temperature, the thermal conductivity of the molding material and the wall thickness of the casting. And usually these factors have basically the same impact on the two stages.

    Increasing the pouring temperature can delay the cooling rate of the casting, which promotes both the first stage of graphitization and the second stage of graphitization. Therefore, increasing the pouring temperature can pulverize graphite to a certain extent, and can also increase the eutectoid transformation.

3. The effect of overheating and high temperature standing of cast iron

    Within a certain temperature range, increasing the overheating temperature of the molten iron and extending the high-temperature standing time will result in the refinement of the graphite-based structure in the cast iron and increase the strength of the cast iron. If the superheat is further increased, the nucleation ability of the cast iron will decrease, and the graphite morphology will be deteriorated, and even free cementite will appear, which will decrease the strength, so there is a’critical temperature’. The critical temperature mainly depends on the chemical composition of the molten iron and the cooling rate of the casting. It is generally believed that the critical temperature of ordinary gray cast iron is about 1500-1550 ℃, so it is always hoped that the iron tapping temperature is higher.

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