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Improvements in the Characteristics of Nodular Graphite Cast Iron for Crankshafts
Author(s) -
Balloy David,
Tissier JeanCharles
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
steel research international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.603
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1869-344X
pISSN - 1611-3683
DOI - 10.1002/srin.200705875
Subject(s) - cast iron , materials science , ultimate tensile strength , graphite , microstructure , metallurgy , ferrite (magnet) , manganese , copper , composite material
This study deals with spheroidal graphite cast iron metallurgy for the mass production of engine crankshafts. Pieces have been made in three different grades under industrial conditions. CCT diagrams and micrographs show that it is possible to remove the undesirable “bull's eye” ferrite from the matrix as well as to improve the mechanical properties of series parts by only altering the chemical composition. A 100% pearlitic matrix and up to a 14% increase in the tensile strength have been obtained by lowering the amount of silicon and increasing the share of pearlitizing elements such as copper and manganese without altering the cooling speed of the parts. The effect of the cooling speed on the matrix microstructure and the mechanical features has also been revealed. For an “improved” grade, the matrix is 100% pearlitic, its hardness is about 390Hv30kg for a cooling speed of around 150°C/min.