Cast irons containing 3.8%C and 2.2%Si were melted in a graphite crucible using a high frequency induction furnace. At 1,530°C, the nodularization treatment was done by addition of 1.6% of Fe-Si-Mg alloy together with various amount of rare earth element (RE) and calsium using RE-Si and Ca-Si alloys respectively. After the magnesium reaction subsided, the melt was post-inoculated with Fe-Si and was cast to the 3mm thickness plate using CO
2 process mold. The formation of chilled structure and graphite nodule count were examined and X-ray microanalysis was carried out to detect RE and Ca in graphite spheroids.
Nodule count was enhanced by the addition of small amount of rare earth element and further increased by the addition of an optimum amount of rare earth element in combination with a small amount of calcium. Some heterogeneous phases with diameter of 1
μm or more were observed at the center of graphite spheroids. These phases were composed of spherical rare earth sulfides containing MgO, MgS and CaS. On these phases graphite crystallized in eutectic solidification. It is suggested that rare earth sulfides contribute as the substrate on the formation of graphite spheroids in the thin section cast iron with rare earth element.
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