Title: Application of cooling curve analysis as a process control tool to produce compacted graphite cast iron

Authors: Omar Elmabrouk, Arda Cetin, Ali Kalkanli, Ekrem Selcuk

Addresses: Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Middle East Technical University, 06510, Ankara, Turkey. ' Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Middle East Technical University, 06510, Ankara, Turkey. ' Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Middle East Technical University, 06510, Ankara, Turkey. ' Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Middle East Technical University, 06510, Ankara, Turkey

Abstract: Compacted graphite cast iron is becoming an alternative to lightweight alloys, especially in production of automotive engine blocks due to its high strength and its high thermal conductivity. However, the successful casting process to produce compacted graphite cast iron depends on the quality of the control procedures that are utilised during production. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relations between the thermal analysis parameters and the graphite morphologies of the cast irons that were produced over a suitable range of Mg/S ratios and to attempt to present a methodology that can supply information during production.

Keywords: cooling curve analysis; compacted graphite cast iron; casting; microstructure; process control; automotive engine blocks; strength; thermal conductivity; graphite morphology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2009.031142

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2009 Vol.4 No.3, pp.368 - 376

Published online: 21 Jan 2010 *

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