On the Problems with Carbide Formation in Gray Cast Iron

Abstract

Gray iron technology has advanced greatly in the past half century. Much has been learned about the mechanisms of nucleation and solidification and about solid state transformations. This information has alloweu gray iron castings to remain competitive for structural components. Low cost and excellent castability make them versatile for a wide variety of industrial components including engine blocks, cylinder heads, housings, manifolds, hydraulic valve bodies and many other castings of similar complexity. Gray cast iron provides the technical advantages of high strength, soundness, good machinability, dimensional stability and uniformity of properties usually required by such cast components. Achieving these characteristics is dependent, however, on achieving proper and uniform structures tnrougnout all sections of the casting. This objective is reaoily attainable in judiciously alloyed gray cast iron.