A study was made of the influence of Si, 0. 4-1. 6% Al and 0. 4-2. 74% Cu on the structure and properties of synthetic iron with 2. 9-3. 1% C, 0. 27-0. 37 Mn, 0. 06 S, 0. 04 P and 0. 17-0. 25 Si. The optimum addition for synthetic iron originally containing 0. 19-0. 25% Si and 0. 8% Al is 1. 3-1. 4% of SK15, giving a total Si content of 0. 6-0. 7%. The influence of Cu was studied on an iron with 0. 37-0. 42% Si. Additions of 0. 4-2. 74% Cu failed to produce a typical grey iron. Additions of 0. 4-2. 74% Cu failed to produce a typical grey iron structure. After high temperature annealing, these irons developed floccular graphite and were much softer. The complex action of Cu on hardness is associated with its limited solubility in ferrite. Unless Al is also added, alloying with Cu cannot produce a grey iron structure in the cast state.