Production of surface chilled ductile iron

Surface chilled ductile iron has become a promising material for machine parts exposed the wearing and impact because of good combination of high wear resistance and toughness. In this study, the effect of the chemical composition, mold wall thickness and sample diameter on the chill formation, chill depth, and carbide precipitation in the ductile iron were studied. The casting having four different chemical compositions were carried out to copper molds having various samples diameter (empty set 10-50mm) and mold wall thickness (5, 15, 20, 30 and 50 mm). Microstructural and hardness profile evaluation were carried out from surface to center of part in order to define the effects of cooling rate on the chill formation. Experimental results showed that the production of surface chilled ductile iron having various chill depths can be achieved with controlling of the cooling rate. Hardness profile increases with increasing of mold wall thickness (cooling rate). High chromium content increases chill depth and decrease graphite formation. High silicon content promotes graphite formation while it decreases carbide precipitation. Chill formation on the ductile iron can be optimized with controlling mold wall thickness and sample diameter (cooling rate).